TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn kept the game close early but were unable to mount a comeback against No. 21 Central Oklahoma, falling 7-3 in game two of the series. The Ichabods will have senior day on Sunday with first pitch at 1 p.m.
Cooper Carlgren got the start for the Ichabods (23-19, 17-12 MIAA) and stranded one runner on base in a scoreless top of the first inning. Neither team got on the board in the first frame. The games first run came in the second on a Central Oklahoma (34-10, 20-9) solo home run with one out.
Washburn got runners on in each of the first four innings but were unable to bring any around, stranding five runners in the first four played. In the top of the fifth the Bronchos loaded the bases with one out after a pair of walks and a fielders choice on a sacrifice bunt attempt. A sacrifice fly to deep center scored one run to push the lead up to 2-0.
After the Ichabods' first three up and three down inning in the home half of the fifth Central Oklahoma led off the sixth with a home run. After one out three straight singles brought in another run. The Bronchos pushed the lead to 5-0 with another single coming with two-outs in the frame to complete the scoring.
In the seventh a walk was followed by a two-out double to score a run. A single into left field scored a second in the inning. Connor Scott led off the seventh inning with a single before moving to second on a wild pitch and to third on a single from Grant Jones. An error on a ball hit by Trey Adams allowed Scott to score. Payton McHarg picked up an RBI on a single to center and Cale Savage scored Adams and reached himself on an error to make it 7-3 after seven.
Jayden Payne took over on the mound and struck out three of the four batters he faced, tossing a scoreless eighth inning. Gavin Wilhelm got the final two outs of the ninth to keep the Bronchos at seven runs but Washburn was unable to pick up a hit in its final two trips to the plate.
The Ichabods used four total pitchers, combining to strike out nine batters while walking just four. Carlgren went 5.2 innings with four strikeouts and seven hits allowed, he took the loss and moved to 3-3 on the year.
At the plat Washburn had 10 hits in the game with Connor Scott, Cash Jay and Grant Jones each picking up two.
Caleb Burchfield threw six scoreless innings for the Bronchos, allowing five hits and striking out three to earn the win.
