TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn baseball kept its winning streak alive in dramatic fashion as the Ichabods finished off the sweep of Newman with a 6-5 triumph in the bottom of the ninth on Monday afternoon. The Ichabods' game originally scheduled against Southeastern Oklahoma on Tuesday has been postponed due to forecasted rain and Washburn will remain at home for its next series this upcoming weekend against Northeastern State, March 10-12.
The Ichabods improved their winning streak to 12 in a row and are now 13-7 overall. They are also the only team undefeated in MIAA play with a 6-0 conference record. Washburn has won four walk-off games this season, including two against Newman this series.
Washburn starter
Jack Brimacombe started the game with a quick 1-2-3 inning and the Ichabod offense got going in the bottom of the first.
Cal Watkins and
Trevor McCollum hit back-to-back singles to get things started and with both runners in scoring position, the first run came across on a wild pitch. McCollum gave the Ichabods a 2-0 lead as he scored on
Cale Savage's groundout.
The Jets (6-12, 2-4 MIAA) got one run back in the top of the second with a leadoff home run before tying up the game in the following inning with an unearned run.
The game didn't stay tied for long as
Easton Bruce drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third and on a 3-2 pitch, Savage hit a two-run home run to right center to put the Ichabods back in front, 4-2.
Brimacombe settled into a groove again and with the help of his defense, did not allow a runner past second base in the fourth or fifth innings. A leadoff single by Newman in the fourth was erased when he was caught attempting to swipe second base. In the fifth, a leadoff walk was eliminated with a 6-4-3 double play.
The Jets made some noise in the sixth inning and had the bases loaded with one out, but
Griffin Huiatt got the final two outs to leave three runners stranded and keep the score at 4-2.
Newman pulled within one in the seventh inning after a leadoff walk eventually came around to score after stealing second base and then a pair of singles.
Washburn added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. McCollum got things started with a single to left field and then moved to third on Bruce's single. Savage brought in the run with a single to center on the first pitch of his at bat.
In the top of the ninth, Newman hit a leadoff single and then tied the game with a two-run homer.
Charlie Kiefer took over on the mound and ended the inning with two strikeouts to leave one Jet stranded.
Washburn wasted little time to end the game as McCollum sent a 1-0 pitch up the middle for a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two pitches later, Bruce pulled a shot down the first base line that rolled to the outfield and allowed McCollum to easily score the winning run.
The Ichabods recorded 15 hits while the Jets had 11. Savage finished the afternoon 3-4 with four RBI and one run scored. McCollum went 3-5 and scored three time. Bruce had two hits, an RBI, and scored a run.
Kiefer received the win and is now 1-1 on the year. Brimacombe went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits, four walks, and six strikeouts.
