CLAREMORE, Okla. -- A fifth inning bases-loaded single broke a scoreless tie turning out to be the winning run as the No. 23-Washburn Ichabods fell in a 1-0 pitcher's duel to No. 17-ranked Minnesota State on Thursday in the NCAA Central opening game. Washburn will now face Winona State at 1:30 p.m. on Friday in an elimination game.

Washburn starting pitcher Jaycee Ginter held the Mavericks without a hit until the third inning when Elle Tallman connected on a bunt single with two outs.

Washburn (45-14) picked up its first hit in the top of the fourth when Paige Robbins singled to center, but back to back strikeouts ended the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Minnesota State (47-12) loaded the bases and with two outs, a single by Cheyenne Behrends through the left side scored Kacy Nickerson with what would turn out to be the winning run.

The Ichabods picked up another hit in the sixth, a single by Robbins who collected both hits for Washburn in the game.

Washburn went down in order in the seventh as the Mavericks' Mackenzie Ward moved to 29-4 on the season striking out seven Ichabods allowing the two hits to Robbins.

Ginter fell to 30-6 in the circle striking out seven allowing three hits to the Mavericks.