ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Washburn baseball (1-2) could not hold on to a late two-run lead, falling to Henderson State (2-1) 7-6 on Sunday afternoon. The Ichabods will wrap up the trip to Arkansas against Southern Arkansas University on Monday at 12:30 p.m.
For the second straight day Cal Watkins got Washburn's offense started early, doubling to lead off the game. Watkins moved to third and scored the game's first run on a wild pitch that walked Trey Adams. Adams moved to second on a single by Easton Bruce and to third by Cale Savage, then scored on another wild pitch, putting the Ichabods up 2-0 early.
The Reddies responded in the next inning, getting three hits to tie the game up at two. Washburn broke the tie in the top of the fifth inning with a single from Savage, scoring Adams who hit a one-out single and stole second base.
Henderson State tied the game again in the sixth inning on a solo home run. Griffin Huiatt finished his Washburn debut going six innings with six strikeouts and only allowing three runs with no walks.
The Ichabods loaded the bases to start the seventh inning and were able to get one run across the break the tie. Caden Bressler grounded into a fielder's choice, bringing home Savage and making it a 4-3 game. Once again, the Reddies came right back, scoring one run in the bottom of the seventh which went unearned after two errors by Washburn in the inning.
Watkins started another Washburn rally in the eighth inning, beginning with a one-out single, going to third on a stolen base and error. Adams scored Watkins with a single to center field and one batter later Savage knocked Adams in for the second time in the game to make it 6-4.
Austin Gerety came in to pitch during the middle of the seventh inning, going 1 2/3 innings without giving up a run, moving the game to the ninth. After a scoreless top of the inning for the Ichabods, Henderson State had all six batters reach base that went to the plate in the bottom of the ninth. Three reached from hits, two on walks, one intentional, and one hit batter allowing the Reddies to walk-off 7-6.
Washburn got a season-high 12 hits in the game but were out-hit by Henderson State 13-12. The Ichabods' one through five hitters all had two hits in the game. Savage had two RBI and scored one run and Adams scored three runs.
