Box Score FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Washburn led most of the way but a five-run eighth inning from Nova Southeastern put them in front late to steal a 9-8 win on Sunday afternoon. The Ichabods finish out the trip to south Florida on Monday at 12:30 p.m. against Barry.
The Sharks (4-2) went in front early on, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning. In the second Kai Bennett, who got his first start of the season, worked around a bases loaded jam to strand three runners on base.
That allowed Washburn (1-2) to load the bases in the third, scoring one on a fielder's choice grounder by Ian Luce and another with Jackson Mervosh punching a single through the right side to go in front.
Bennett carried the momentum from the second inning into three straight scoreless frames, retiring all nine batters he faced to finish his day. That set the Ichabods up in the sixth with Jack Borgmann reaching with a two-out single. He was followed by back-to-back doubles from Jarrett Herrmann and Brooks Richardson to extend the lead to 4-1.
Mark Hoffman took over on the mound and tossed a scoreless sixth inning. In the seventh the Sharks took advantage of an error in the field with a pair of hits to score three runs and tie the game at four.
Washburn struck back in the eighth, first loading the bases on a single by Owen Laessig and walks from Borgmann and Richardson. Levi Risenhoover followed with his second home run of the year, and first grand slam of the year for the Ichabods to lead 8-4.
Nova Southeastern was able to load the bases themselves with a walk scoring one. With two outs in the inning they responded with a grand slam of their own to go in front 9-8. Washburn put one runner on in the ninth but could not get past first base as they fell by one run.
The Ichabods out-hit the Sharks 11-7 while each team worked five walks. Washburn had the only error in the game and left nine runners on base to six for Nova Southeastern.
Three pitchers combined to throw 8.0 innings for Washburn. Kai Bennett went 5.0 with three strikeouts and allowed just two hits. Mark Hoffman also struck out three over 2.1 innings.
Four players had two-hit games at the plate led by Levi Risenhoover driving in four runs. Brooks Richardson went 2-2 along with two walks. Jarrett Herrmann and Easton Wasinger each picked up two hits.
