SHAWNEE, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod softball team went 2-0 on Sunday afternoon after topping Minnesota State 2-1 and Rockhurst 4-1 in the nightcap. Washburn will open MIAA play this coming weekend at Northeastern State on March 7 and Rogers State on March 8.

Game 1 – Minnesota State 2, Washburn 1
After the Mavericks (6-7) went up 1-0 with a solo run in the fourth, Washburn took the lead for good in the top of the sixth on a 2-run homer by Jaden LaBarge that put the Ichabods up 2-1. The two runs would be all the run support starting pitcher Jenna Sprague would need as she improved to 2-2 in the circle striking out five scattering four hits allowing the one earned run.

Makenzie Sais, Danielle Schalder, Kate Ediger, LaBarge and Maddie McGee had the five hits for the Ichabods.

Game 2 – Washburn 4, Rockhurst 1
Washburn (14-7) starting pitcher Sadie Walker struck out a school record 16 batters in 114 pitches as the Ichabods won the nightcap 4-1. Walker's school record topped the 14 by Megan Deiter (at Nebraska- Kearney, 04/04/2018), Jaycee Ginter (vs Rockhurst, 3/2/22) and Raegen Hamm (vs Mary, 2/26/22).

All four runs came in the second inning for the Ichabods. After Ediger walked to start the season, LaBarge drew a walk and then Dalaney Anderson walked with two outs loading the bases. Maddie McGee then walked forcing Ediger in. Erin Boles singled through the left side driving in two runs and then Kaylee Wagner drew a bases loaded walk of her own as the Ichabods led 4-0.

Neither team scored until the sixth when a solo home run by Rockhurst cut the lead to 4-1, but Walker struck out the final three batters of the inning and one more in the seventh to reach the new record of 16. Walker allowed the one earned run with five hits while walking one.

Boles drove in two of Washburn's four runs as five different Ichabods had a hit.