TOPEKA, Kan. – The No. 17-ranked Washburn softball team's rally came up short in the opener, but led from start to finish gaining a split with Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday at Gahnstrom Field. Washburn will now start an eight-game road trip starting at Missouri Southern next Friday in Joplin.
 
Game 1 – UNK 3, WU 2
The Lopers scored two runs in the top of the third and then added one more in the top of the sixth taking a 3-0 lead entering the bottom of the frame. In the ensuing at bat, the Ichabods' (31-9, 10-6 MIAA) Ellington Hogle recorded a one-out single and then after Marrit Mead's double to left center, both came around to score on a single to center by Hadley Kerschen, however the Ichabods finished the inning with a hard-hit lineout and a strike out ending the rally.
 
The Lopers (14-24, 5-9 MIAA) went down in order in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, the Ichabods' Jaden LaBarge led off the inning with a walk and then entering as a pinch runner for LaBarge, Gracie Gallagher moved to second on a sac bunt by Paige Robbins, but she would advance no more as the game came to an end in the 3-2 loss.
 
Jaycee Ginter fell to 21-6 in the circle striking out 10 scattering five hits in the complete game. Five different batters had a single hit for the Ichabods.
 
Game 2 – WU 7, UNK 0
The Ichabods wasted little time jumping on UNK starter Madison Rosenthal who picked up the save in the opening game by scoring one run in the first inning then adding two more in the second leading from start to finish in the nightcap.
 
In the first, Mead singled to left and then moved to 24 for 24 in stolen bases by swiping second base and moved to third on Kerschens' single to left. Mead came home to score when Kerschen was thrown out at second on a steal attempt as the Ichabods went up 1-0.
 
In the second inning, Jenna More drew a one-out walk and moved up 60 feet after Hogle dropped a sac bunt leading to the UNK pitching change. On Stacy Bott's second pitch Mead sent a pitch over the left field fence adding to the Ichabod lead as Washburn led 3-0.
 
The Ichabods were held scoreless in the third inning but added two more in the fourth when Kaylee Wagner led off the inning with a single and Allison Hemsath entered as a pinch runner. After Hemsath stole second base, Moore singled down the left field line sending Hemsath home leading to another pitching change for the Lopers. Hogle singled and then Kerschen singled off of Faith Gaynor's (who picked up the win in game one for the Lopers) leg on a hot shot up the middle, sending Moore home as Washburn pushed the lead to 5-0.
 
In the sixth, the Ichabods scored two more times on five hits as Moore started things off with a single winning the 11-pitch at bat moving to second after a single by Hogle. Mead singled to center loading the bases. After a fielder's choice, Ginter singled to right driving in both Mead and Hogle wrapping up the scoring for the Ichabods.
 
Sadie Walker picked up the winning improving to 5-3 overall tossing a career-high six inning tying a career-high with seven strikeouts before giving away to Sheyenne Cheek who pitched the final inning.
 
Mead had three hits pacing the Ichabods 12-hit attack while Kerschen, Moore and Hogle each had two hits. Mead also scored three times and Moore scored twice in the win.