WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The long ball proved costly in Washburn's 5-2 loss at No. 5 Central on Sunday afternoon as the Mules scored three runs on two homers. The Ichabods will stay on the road for another week as they head to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma for three games starting on Friday, April 2.
 
Central Missouri's Erik Webb hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first for the first run of the day.
 
The Ichabods (7-13, 6-9 MIAA) took a 2-1 lead in the third inning, thanks to two doubles and a walk. With one out, Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli found himself down 0-2 at the plate before working it to a 3-2 count and eventually drawing the walk. On the first pitch of his at bat, Carson Sader doubled to score Clark-Chiappareli all the way from first and tie up the game. Eric Hinostroza also jumped on the first pitch of his at bat and  recorded an RBI double to left field.
 
The Mules (18-4, 14-1 MIAA) went back in front with one swing of that bat when Alex Madera hit a two-run homer to left field. The Ichabods escaped the inning without further damage by turning a 5-4-3 double play.
 
Central Missouri tacked on one insurance run in the seventh and eighth innings to extend its lead and held on for the 5-2 win.
 
Sader played a part in both Washburn runs with the RBI double and then scored on Hinostroza's double.
 
Washburn starter Sean McElwee received the loss, allowing three earned runs on nine hits and struck out eight with zero walks. Central Missouri's Conor Dryer picked up the win after five innings of work, allowing two hits and two runs that both came in the third inning and had six strikeouts.