MAGNOLIA, Ark. – No. 7 seed Washburn baseball scored nine runs on one of the best pitchers in the nation on Thursday evening, but were unable to hold on as the NCAA Central Region No. 2 seed and No. 8-nationally ranked Southern Arkansas came from behind with seven runs in the eighth to win the NCAA regional first round game, 12-11. The Ichabods will face a familiar foe in Northeastern State on Friday at 2 p.m. in the elimination game.
 
Washburn's (33-21) offense attacked quickly to get the game started and scored four runs on five hits in the first inning facing the GAC and NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Year, Jeremy Adorno. Brett Ingram hit a one out single and Quinn Waterbury drew a walk before Parker Dunn emptied the bases with a three-run home run to right center. With two outs, Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli singled to left and advanced to third on Easton Bruce's single to center. Kros Bay drove in the fourth run of the frame with a single through the left side.

Southern Arkansas (42-11) responded with one in the bottom of the first after the inning started with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly brought in the run. The Muleriders loaded up the bases with another single and a walk when Washburn starter Casey Steward got a big strikeout to end the inning and leave all three runners stranded there.
 
The Ichabods kept their foot on the gas in the second as Cal Watkins hit a leadoff double down the right field line and Ingram hit a two-run shot to left center to push Washburn's lead to 6-1.
 
Again, Southern Arkansas got one run back in the home half of the frame to make it a 6-2 game.
 
Bay got the third inning started by reaching first safely after a fielding error by the third baseman. Watkins was issued a walk and with two outs, Waterbury joined the home run party and sent the ball over the fence in right center to put the Ichabods in front, 9-2. SAU's pitcher Adorno had only allowed three home runs the entire season and saw that total doubled through three innings.
 
The Muleriders found their home run swing in the bottom of the third and hit a trio of solo homers to trim the deficit to 9-5.
 
For the second time in the game, Bay reached base to lead off an inning as he drew a walk to start the fifth. On Connor Scott's bunt grounder to the pitcher, SAU attempted to get out the lead runner but instead, made an errant throw allowing both Ichabods to be safe and Bay move up to third. Watkins got the run in with a sacrifice fly to extend WU's advantage to 10-5.
 
In his second inning of work, Braden Babcock returned to the mound in the fifth and retired the side in order. He also got a quick 1-2-3 inning in the seventh with the help of some nice defensive plays.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Southern Arkansas got its first two runners on by way of walks and after a pitching change, the Muleriders juiced the bases with a hit by pitch. The Ichabods got a big strikeout, but SAU recorded a two-RBI double to get within three runs. A walk reloaded the bases and the Muleriders hit another two-run double, despite Zion Bowlin's diving effort in right field. Southern Arkansas took its first lead of the evening during the next at bat as Tucker Burton hit a three-run home run to make it 12-10 in favor of the home team.
 
The Ichabods made some noise in the ninth when Clark-Chiapparelli double down the left field line with one out. With two outs, Bay battled at the plate and kept the game alive and drove in a run with a single up the middle. Scott was walked to put runners on first and second, but Washburn's rally fell short as the Muleriders held on for the win.
 
The Muleriders finished with one more hit than the Ichabods at 13-12. There was a combined seven home runs hit between the two teams with Southern Arkansas leading by one in that category as well, 4-3. Ingram went 2-4 at the dish with a two-run home run, a walk, and two runs scored. Bay was also 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Clark-Chiapparelli scored twice and had two hits, including a double.
 
Steward received a no-decision after he threw three innings and allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven. Babcock worked four quality innings out of the bullpen and allowed two runs, zero hits, four walks, and a hit by pitch and three strikeouts.