TOPEKA, Kan. – Andrew Schmidtlein's leadoff triple in the bottom of the ninth set up the Ichabods for an eventual 3-2 walk-off win in the series opener against Newman on Saturday afternoon. Game two against the Jets will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Cale Savage broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning when he led off the frame with a home run to left field on the first pitch he saw.
 
Newman (6-10, 2-2 MIAA) took the lead in the third inning with a two-run homer to center field.
 
In the fifth inning, the Jets threatened to add to their lead and had runners on the corners when the Ichabods (11-7, 4-0 MIAA) got an out on a play at the plate on a fielder's choice and then ended the inning on a groundout to third.
 
Washburn leveled the score in the bottom of the fifth with a pair of doubles. Trey Adams hit a double to left field and then traded places with Savage on his two-out double to right.
 
Ichabod starter Casey Steward went six innings and surrendered just the two-run home run, six hits, and three walks while striking out nine in the process. Jayden Payne took over in the seventh and allowed two singles in the frame, but left those runners stranded as he capped off the frame with a strikeout.
 
Washburn's bats went down in order in the seventh and eighth while Newman's one out single in the eighth was erased with a double play and Payne recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth.
 
Entering the game as a pinch hitter, Schmidtlein quickly helped the Ichabods as he legged out a triple to center field. The Jets then made several strategic moves in the game and intentionally walked Caden Bressler and Andrew Paulsey, substituted in new left and right fielders, and brought their center fielder into the infield to protect against a ground ball. Washburn's next batter struck out and Adams stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. On the first pitch, Adams hit a sacrifice fly to left field and pinch runner Seger Holman easily beat the throw to score the game-winning run.
 
The Jets had a slight edge in hits on the afternoon, 9-7. Savage was 2-4 with a home run and a double. Adams also had a double and drove in the winning run. Earlier this season against Concordia-St. Paul, Adams helped the Ichabods to a walk-off win with his game-winning RBI single.
 
Payne earned his first win at Washburn as he pitched three scoreless innings and allowed just three singles.