TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn baseball squad opened MIAA play at home with an 8-6 victory over Missouri Western on Friday afternoon. With the win, the Ichabods move up to 9-8 on the year while the Griffons fall to 4-12 (0-1 MIAA).
The Ichabods jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning.
Parker Dunn led off the frame with a double to left center and
Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli reached first after getting hit by the first pitch of his at bat. A walk to
Brett Ingram loaded the bases for
Kros Bay, who knocked in two runs on a single up the middle.
Mark Wanner followed that up with a nice bunt up the third base line and beat out the throw while rushing the Griffons' third baseman who threw it past the first baseman, allowing Ingram to score and Bay to move up to third.
Xavier De Leon landed the third-straight single of the inning to bring home Bay for the fourth run.
Ingram led off the fourth inning with a triple and then easily made it home on Bay's double to left center to make it a 5-0 lead.
Washburn added three more runs on four hits in the bottom of the eighth.
Zion Bowlin hit a lead off single and then scored on Clark-Chiapparelli's triple to right.
Mitchell Lady collected an RBI with a double to left field. Bay landed his second double of the afternoon to deep left center to drive in Lady for an 8-0 Ichabod advantage.
The Griffons escaped the shut out with six runs in the bottom of the ninth on three hits, two walks, and a hit by pitch.
Dalton Huggins came on in relief with one out and got a foul out and a strike out to secure the 8-6 victory.
Washburn starter
Brock Gilliam pitched a gem and received the win, scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five and did not walk anyone. Gilliam also retired the side in order in five of his seven innings. Huggins picked up his fourth save of the season.
The Ichabods out hit the Griffons, 12-6, with half of Washburn's hits going for extra bases. Bay went 3-for-4 at the plate and accounted for five of Washburn's runs, driving in four and scoring once himself. Wanner and Bowlin both went 2-for-4.
Washburn will play game two of the three-game home series tomorrow (Feb. 29). First pitch at Falley Field will be at 1 p.m.
