MANHATTAN, Kan. – Washburn baseball allowed just two runs in the second inning and then went on to score nine unanswered runs to win the series opener against Northern State on Saturday, 10-2. The Ichabods will have their official home opener on Sunday with a doubleheader against the Wolves. The times have been pushed back to 2 and 5 p.m. at Falley Field.
 
The Ichabods (6-3) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning after the leadoff batter Cal Watkins was hit by the pitch, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then made it home on Parker Dunn's single to left field.
 
The Wolves (1-3) responded with two runs on two hits in the top of the second to go in front, 2-1.
 
With two outs in the fourth inning, Easton Bruce doubled to right field to drive in Kros Bay and level the score at 2-all.
 
Washburn reclaimed the lead at 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth when Dunn's groundout with the bases loaded scored Cale Savage.
 
The Ichabods added some cushion to their lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Connor Scott led off the frame with his first home run in a Washburn uniform and Dunn followed that up with a double to center field. Dunn moved up to third base on a ground out and then scored on a fielder's choice.
 
After Northern State was retired in order for the second-consecutive inning, Washburn's offense exploded for five runs on six hits in the bottom of the eighth to go up, 10-2. Watkins hit a double to left center and then Dunn traded places with him after a two-out double to center. Zion Bowlin's single through the left side brought in a run and then Brett Ingram cleared the bases with a two-run bomb that just stayed fair down the left field line. Up next was Bay, who followed suit with a homer of his own to score the fifth run of the inning.
 
Trevor Marreel entered the game to close out the ninth and allowed a leadoff single before recording a pop out and two strikeouts to seal the Washburn victory.
 
Pfeifer (2-1) received the win as he went five innings and allowed two runs on three hits with two walks while striking out nine. Dalton Huggins continued his strong showing out of the bullpen as he worked three scoreless innings and surrendered just one infield single and struck out five.
 
The Ichabod offense totaled 15 hits with eight extra base hits, including five doubles by four different players. Dunn finished the afternoon 3-5 and had two doubles, three RBI, and scored once. Watkins was 2-4 with two runs scored and Scott, Savage, and Bruce also landed two hits apiece. Bay drove in two runs and also scored two runs.
 
Niko Pezonella was the only player for the Wolves to land more than one hit as he had two of their five total hits.