TOPEKA, Kan. – The Ichabods overcame a five-run deficit in the eighth inning with nine runs in the home half of the frame and held on for the 12-9 series opening win over Northeastern State. Game two of the series is currently scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
With the come-from-behind victory, Washburn increases its winning streak to 13 in a row and improves its record to 14-7 (7-0 MIAA).
 
The RiverHawks (9-9, 4-3 MIAA) got the scoring started quickly to begin the game as they hit a leadoff double and then three pitches later scored on an RBI single.
 
In the bottom of the second, Trevor McCollum was down in the count 1-2 and then patiently drew a walk. He stole second to get into scoring position and then with two outs, he scored on Caden Bressler's single to left field to level the score.
 
The score stayed locked at 1-1 until the fifth inning when Northeastern State jumped ahead 3-1 on a two-run homer. The RiverHawks went up 4-1 in the sixth after a sacrifice fly.
 
The Ichabods got that run back in the home half of the sixth. Cale Savage started off the inning by reaching on a throwing error and moved over to third on McCollum's single. Andrew Schmidtlein brought in the run with a sacrifice fly.
 
In the following inning, Otto Jones hit a leadoff double to left center and moved over to third on a flyout. With two outs again, Easton Bruce hit an infield single to bring home the run and pull within one, 4-3.
 
The RiverHawks capitalized on Washburn miscues in the top of the eighth and scored four runs on five hits and three Ichabod errors to go up, 8-3.
 
Washburn's offense was on the attack in the eighth inning and sent 10 batters up to the plate before Northeastern State recorded an out. To start the frame, McCollum singled, Schmidtlein was hit by the pitch, and Bressler singled to juice the bases for Jones, who hit a two-RBI single to left field. Up next, Cal Watkins double down the right field line to bring in a run. After a pitching change, Trey Adams was hit by a pitch to load the bases yet again. Bruce legged out another infield single to bring home a run. On a 1-2 pitch, Savage laced a double down the left field line that drove in the go-ahead runs and make it 9-8 in favor of Washburn. Pinch hitter Shane Morrow kept the line moving with an RBI single through the left side. Another pitching change occurred and shortly thereafter, a run scored on a failed pickoff attempt. Washburn scored the final run on an RBI groundout and the Ichabods finished the frame with nine runs on eight hits and one error.
 
In the top of the ninth, the RiverHawks were down to their last out after three pitches. Then NSU reached with a single and a walk and both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. An Ichabod error allowed one run to come across, but the final out was recorded after a groundout to short stop.
 
WU out hit NSU, 15-12, and legged out five doubles. McCollum was a perfect 4-4 at the dish with a walk and two runs scored. He also stole three bases. Bruce went 2-4 with a walk, run scored, and two RBI. Jones finished the day 2-5 with two runs scored and two runs driven in.
 
Jayden Payne improved to 2-0 and allowed one unearned run with two hits and a walk in his 1 1/3 inning of work. Austin Gerety recorded the final out and received the save. Washburn starter Casey Steward went seven innings and surrendered four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight.