TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn put up back-to-back five runs innings over No. 21 Central Oklahoma to win the series finale 11-9 on senior day. The Ichabods are back in action against Emporia State in a non-conference game
Before the first pitch was thrown Washburn (24-19, 18-12 MIAA) recognized its twelve seniors on the field: Teagan Tamiya, Trey Adams, Cal Watkins, Cole Warner, Jake Schroeder, Shane Morrow, Cale Savage, Otto Jones, Seger Holman, Ike Book, Jayden Payne and Charlie Kiefer.
The first two innings of the game were scoreless for both teams, with Ichabod starter Chase Torkelson allowing only one hit. A leadoff double was moved to second by the Bronchos (34-11, 20-10 MIAA) in the top of the third before scoring on a wild pitch for the game's first run.
In the home half of the third Cale Savage led of the inning with a home run to left field to tie the game. Walks from Payton McHarg and Jett Buck along with a single from Hayden Priest loaded the bases. Connor Scott singled into center field to score two and Grant Jones followed with one to the same spot to score another. With two outs Cal Watkins did the same thing, scoring Scott to complete the third inning five spot.
One inning later Cash Jay led off with a single but was ruled out one batter later going to second due to interference on a fielders choice from McHarg. Priest slapped a single into left field to put two on and Buck also went to left field with his hit going over the wall for a three-run shot.
Scott continued the inning with a double to right and the bases got loaded after Grant Jones walked and Otto Jones was hit by a pitch. Watkins took a walk to bring home another run and Savage hit a sacrifice fly to make it back-to-back five-run innings for Washburn.
The next half inning the Central Oklahoma led off with a hit batter and two walks to load the bases. An RBI grounder scored one run and the next batter walked to re-load the bases. Two straight singles scored three runs to make it a 10-5 game. With two outs the Bronchos hit a three-run homer to right field to pull within two after a seven-run fifth.
The next four half innings were scoreless on both sides with both top of the innings taken care of by Gavin Wilhelm who struck out the side in both the sixth and seventh. Watkins broke up the two-inning scoreless streak with a solo shot to right-center to lead off the bottom of the seventh.
Central Oklahoma was able to score one in the eighth after a leadoff walk, single and a throwing error. In the ninth they went three-up three-down as Wilhelm was able to finish off the game and secure an 11-9 senior day win for Washburn.
The Ichabods 13 hits in the game led by three-hit games from Hayden Priest and Connor Scott. Jett Buck, Cale Savage and Cal Watkins each went yard with Buck and Watkins driving in three for the game.
Three pitchers took the mound for Washburn combining for 13 strikeouts. Chase Torkelson went 4.2 innings and Gavin Wilhelm got the rest of the outs, striking out seven and allowing just one hit and one unearned run to pick up his first win and decision of the season.
