TOPEKA, Kan. --- With postseason aspirations and in a must-win situation, Washburn baseball (23-21, 14-17 MIAA) did just that as it care of business on Friday, piecing together a 7-2 win over Northeastern State (12-34, 9-22 MIAA) at Falley Field in the series opener.
 
The Ichabod offense was efficient and balanced in their efforts, with seven different registering a single or better en route to a nine-hit evening. Rorey Combs and Steven Jacobson paved the way as each finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and two RBI.
 
In the first, Washburn worked quickly placing runners on base as Xavier De Leon reached on error before moving to third on a single by Combs. Peter Shearer then notched his eighth multi-RBI game of the season with a single to center as both scored, giving the Ichabods a 2-0 lead.
 
After scoring one in the fourth, the Ichabods blew the game open with a four-run seventh. The first run of the frame came quickly as Steven Jacobson tallied his 20^th RBI of the season with a single allowing Javis Larson to score following a lead-off double from his second run of the evening.
 
Jacobson was eventually pushed to third as Lane Harvey and De Leon then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Combs then extended Ichabod margin to 6-1 with a single to left, scoring Jacobson and Harvey, respectively. Shearer then added to the cause to make it 7-1, as he drove De Leon in for his third RBI of the evening with a sacrifice fly.
 
Northeastern State used small ball tactics to push one run across in the third, but adding another run in the eighth with a solo home run.
 
On the mound, Washburn starter Josh Ramirez had a stellar performance, allowing two runs on six hits in 7.2 innings of work. As result, the right-hander collected his 14^th career victory and is now tied for 10^th in the Washburn record for career win. Ramirez also tallied three strikeouts in the outing and now tied with Mike Lineback for third all-time with 188 career punchouts.
 
Making scoreless relief appearances for the Ichabods was Skyler Proctor and Jake Butterfield. Proctor struggled in his outing, as he walked two of three batters faced, while Butterfield was hitless with a strikeout in 1.1 innings.
 
The Ichabod will resume the series with Northeastern State from Falley Field on Saturday, first pitch is scheduled for 3 pm.