TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Washburn baseball squad held the No. 5-ranked Missouri Southern Lions without a hit until the seventh inning, but the Ichabod offense came alive a little too late as they fell in their home opener, 3-1. Missouri Southern remains unbeaten at 10-0 (4-0 MIAA) while the Ichabods check in at 2-6 (2-2 MIAA) on the young season.

After five innings, Washburn starter Rane Pfeifer had not allowed a hit and walked just three batters while striking out five. He struck out the first two to start the sixth, but his control slipped away from him he walked the next three-straight batters to load the bases. The Ichabod bullpen took over and worked the next batter to a 3-2 count, but couldn't get that last strike and walked in the first run of the game.

Missouri Southern added two more runs the following inning on four hits. Braden Minor took over on the mound with one out in the seventh and after walking the first batter he faced, he got a line out and strikeout to escape the inning and leave three Lions stranded on base.

Leadoff man Xavier De Leon started the bottom of the ninth with a bunt single and then advanced to second after throwing error committed by the catcher. Eric Hinostroza followed suit with a single up the middle to drive home De Leon to get Washburn on the board. Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli recorded the third-straight single of the inning with a hit through the left side. With two outs and runners on second and third, the late rally came to an end with a groundout to third.

De Leon finished the day 2-4 at the plate and scored the Ichabods' lone run. Despite a strong start, Pfeifer was tabbed with the loss. Missouri Southern's Zach Parish improved to 3-0 and gave up just three hits in six innings to go with five strikeouts. 

Washburn will close out the series tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.