JOPLIN, Mo. -- Sunday morning's matchup between Washburn and Maryville was a pitching duel that saw only a combined seven hits between the two teams. The Saints, however, came out on top, 2-1. The Ichabods will play their final game at the MIAA/GLVC Challenge tomorrow (Feb. 17) at 4 p.m. in a non-conference meeting against the tournament host, Missouri Southern.

Joe Roecker started on the bump for Washburn and threw four solid inning, allowing no hits, one walk, striking out five, and not allowing a runner past second base. 

The Ichabods got their first baserunner in third inning when Steven Jacobson led off the frame with a four pitch walk. He advanced to second on a fielder's choice that was hit by Kros Bay that turned into an error on the throw to first, allowing Jacobson to move up to third on the play. The Ichabods sent Bay running to second base on the 3-2 pitch to Wyatt Featherston, but a strike-him-out and throw-him-out play gave Washburn two outs. The play still provided a run for Washburn as Jacobson crossed the plate on the throw to second.

Roecker ran into trouble to start the fifth by working the first two batters to a 3-2 count, but walking both in the end. A sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position and then a sacrifice fly evened the score at 1-1. Cole Warner came on in relief and a single scored one more run for the Saints before Warner could get the final out on a ground out. 

Warner did well in relief, cruising through the sixth and then working out of some trouble in the seventh. He walked the leadoff hitter and then gave up a single, but two outs were quickly recorded on a 4-6-3 double play. The lead runner was left stranded at third when the final out was on a ground out.

Washburn didn't have another hit until the bottom of the eighth when Bay hit an infield single to the short stop. Carson Sader drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out, but the Ichabods were unable to bring them home. 

Trailing 2-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth, the Ichabods had one last chance to tie up the game or walk off. Peter Shearer walked on four-straight pitches with two outs, but a strikeout to end the game cut the rally short.

Maryville finished with four hits while the Ichabods recorded three. Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli, Zion Bowlin, and Bay all recorded a hit for Washburn. Roecker threw 4.2 innings without giving up a hit and surrendered two runs, five walks, and struck out five. Warner did well in 4.1 innings of relief, giving up just four hits and walking three while striking out four.