CLAREMORE, Okla. – The No. 12-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos took advantage of a two-out flyball that was lost in the sun leading to three runs in the bottom of the first inning as the Ichabods fell 3-0 in their opening game in the NCAA Central Regional Tournament in Claremore, Okla. The Ichabods will now play in an elimination game at 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon against Southern Nazarene in an elimination game.
 
In the top of the first, Erin Boles drew a lead-off walk and moved to second on a sac bunt by Marrit Mead. Jaycee Ginter then singled down the left field line but Boles was called out at the plate.
 
In the three-run inning for the Bronchos (43-12), Washburn's Sadie Walker struck out UCO's lead-off batter and then after a pop-out, the Bronchos' Terin Ritz sent a fly ball to the outfield but Washburn (37-16) lost it in the sun allowing Ritz to move to second. A UCO double followed by a single sent three Bronchos to the plate as they took a 3-0 lead.
 
The Ichabods picked up singles from Autymn Schreiner in the second and Hailey Neira in the third inning but could not score.
 
Walker at one point retired nine of 10 UCO batters in a row. Overall she struck out three scattering five hits dropping to 20-9 in the circle.
 
Both teams had five hits as Ginter finished with two for the Ichabods.