PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabods opened the MIAA season with a bang scoring 20 runs pounding out 24 hits including 15 extra base hits batting .393 in two games in a doubleheader sweep over Pittsburg State improving to 16-3 overall and 2-0 in the MIAA. The Ichabods will take and eight-game winning streak into Friday's conference twin bill with Fort Hays State at Gahnstrom Field starting at 3 p.m.
Game 1 – WU 10, PSU 1 (6 innings)
The Ichabods jumped on the board first with two runs in the second inning after
Ashton Friend led off the frame with a double and then came around to score on a
Bri Francis home run. The Ichabods added another homer in the third stretching the lead to 3-0 on a shot by
Hadley Kerschen.
Washburn added two more in the fourth inning on three doubles in the inning with Friend leading off the inning with a double, then she scored on a double by Francis and then Francis scored on a double by
Maddie Stipsits.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Ichabods'
Kamryn Garvie doubled scoring Francis and then
Marrit Mead homered driving in
Kimi Patterson and after a double by Kerschen,
Jaycee Ginter homered to center pushing Washburn to a 10-0 advantage.
The three doubles by Friend tied an individual Washburn record. Kerschen, Friend and Francis all had three hits to lead the Ichabods and Francis scored three runs. Ginter tossed six innings picking up the win striking out a career-high 11 improving to 7-1 on the season.
The Ichabods also connected on eight doubles setting a Washburn record.
Game 2 – WU 10, PSU 2 (5 innings)
The Ichabods opened the second game again jumping out to an early lead when Mead led off the game with a single and then stole second and after a ground out, scored on a ground out by Ginter staking the Ichabods to a 1-0 lead.
Washburn added two more in the second when Patterson singled and moved to third as Fuchs reached on an error. Mead then doubled scoring Patterson and Kerschen's ground out scored Fuchs. Ginter drove in Mead on a fielder's choice as the Ichabods went up 4-0. After Friend's double, Ginter came around to score and Francis' grounded out driving in Friend as the Ichabods increased their lead to 6-0.
The Gorillas added two in the second on a bases loaded walks cutting the Ichabod lead to 6-2.
In the third, Patterson walked and then stole second and moved to third after Fuchs singled to left field. After Fuchs stole second, Mead singled to center driving in Patterson and Fuchs as Washburn stretched the lead to 8-2. The Ichabods added another when Ginter drove in Mead and in the next at bat, Friend singled down the line scoring Ginter as Washburn went up 10-2.
Mead and Friend had three hits while Mead drove in three and score three runs.
Hamm struck out eight in five innings of work scattering two hits moving her record to 9-2 this season in the circle.
In the doubleheader, Friend was 6 for 7 with four doubles and three runs scored while Francis was 4 for 7 with 4 RBI and three runs scored. Mead drove in five runs and scored four runs. Ginter also drove in four and scored three times.
