TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn wrapped up its first homestand of the season completing a three-game sweep of No. 12 Missouri Southern, scoring three in the eighth to win 9-7 on Sunday afternoon. The Ichabods will head on the road Monday as they face William Jewell at 5 p.m.
After a scoreless top of the first on the mound from Caleb Lunnon the Washburn (9-6, 5-1 MIAA) offense got going. Cash Jay doubled down the right field line with two-outs and Easton Bruce followed with a two-run home run over the right-field wall to go up 2-0.
Payton McHarg led off the second inning with a double into right field. Once again with two outs the Ichabod offense came through, first with a single by Connor Scott into center, scoring McHarg. Darian Duhon followed with a triple into the right field corner to score Scott and double the lead.
The Lions (10-5, 3-3 MIAA) were held off the board until the fourth inning when they were able to string together a pair of singles coupled with a walk to score one. With the bases loaded they added another run on a sacrifice fly as the lead was cut in half.
The score stayed that way until Missouri Southern went to the plate in the sixth. A pair of walks both came around to score on wild pitches, tying the game at four. Another walk and single put two more on with both scoring on a three-run home run to go in front 7-4.
Kai Bennett took over on the mound in the seventh inning and delivered a scoreless frame, retiring the Lions in order.
A pair of singles from Blake and Connor Scott led off the bottom of the seventh for the Ichabods. Hayden Priest walked to load the bases as did Jay, scoring a run. Bruce plated his third run of the day with a sac fly to center field, making it a one-run game.
The next time up McHarg led off with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Blake Scott found green down the left field line, scoring McHarg with a ground rule double to tie the game. A hit batter and walk loaded the bases for Jay who singled into left field, scoring two and going in front.
Bennett remained on the mound in the ninth and after hitting the first batter, struck out the next two and retired Missouri Southern for the series on a groundout to shortstop, clinching the 9-7 win.
Both teams managed exactly 10 hits and six walks in the game. The Ichabod pitching staff combined for five strikeouts with three coming from Bennett who went 3.0 scoreless to earn the win. Caleb Lunnon allowed just two runs in five innings after starting.
At the plate each of Cash Jay, Connor Scott and Blake Scott had multi-hit days. Jay drove in three runs as did Easton Bruce who had the only Washburn long ball.
Will Doherty went 3-4 at the plate and drove in three runs to lead the Lions offensively.
