TOPEKA, Kan. – The Ichabods scored twice in the bottom of the ninth and had two runners in scoring position with one out, but were unable to get another run across as Emporia State claimed game two, 10-8, on Saturday. The series rubber match will be on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
The Hornets (16-25, 10-16 MIAA) opened the scoring in the top of the second inning with a leadoff home run to center field. 
 
The Ichabods (23-17, 16-10 MIAA) answered in the home half of the frame and leveled the score. Trey Adams and Ike Book hit back-to-back singles and Adams tagged up to third base on a fly out. Otto Jones brought in the run with a sacrifice fly. 
 
On the first pitch of the bottom of the third, Shane Morrow gave the Ichabods their first lead of the game as he launched a home run over the fence in center field. 
 
Emporia State used the long ball again to retake the lead, going up 4-2 after a pair of homers in the top of the fifth.  
 
The back-and-forth scoring continued into the bottom of the fifth as Washburn went back in front, 5-4. Trevor McCollum singled to center field and then scored on Cale Savage's double to right center. With two outs and on an 0-2 pitch, Adams hit a home run to right field to give Washburn the lead. 
 
The Ichabod pitchers struggled with control in the top of the sixth and walked the first two batters and then both scored on a double that gave Emporia State a one-run advantage. With two outs and the bases loaded after two more walks, a wild pitch scored one run and then a two-RBI single made the score 9-5 in favor of ESU.
 
Washburn made some noise in the bottom of the sixth and had the bases loaded with two outs after a single and back-to-back walks, but the new Emporia State pitcher ended the threat with a strikeout.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Cal Watkins hit a leadoff home run to cut into the Hornets' lead.
 
Emporia State got that run back in the eighth to go back up, 10-6.
 
Still trailing by four heading to the bottom of the ninth, the Ichabods got right to work. Watkins led off with a first pitch double to center field and then traded places with Adams on his double down the left field line. Book drew a five-pitch walk and Adams moved over to third on a fly out to put runners on the corners. Andrew Schmidtlein stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter and singled through the right side to drive in run and make it just a two-run deficit. On that single, the right fielder committed an error and both Book and Schmidtlein moved into scoring position. The Ichabod rally ended there, though, as the final two outs took only two pitches.
 
Washburn finished with a 14-8 advantage in hits and there was a combined six home runs and five doubles between the two teams. Adams was 3-5 with a home run, double, three RBI, and three runs scored. Watkins also went 3-5 and recorded a home run and scored twice. Book landed two hits and was walked once.
 
Ichabod starter Casey Steward started the game strong by striking out the side and finished his outing with 10 strikeouts, but he was tabbed with the loss going 5 1/3 innings and allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, on six hits and five walks. Jayden Payne pitched the final 1 2/3 of the game and did not allow a run or hit and the only base runner was after a hit by pitch.