TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn battled back from a 7-1 deficit to win 10-9 on Saturday afternoon, evening the series with Northwest Missouri State at one game each. The rubber match is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Bearcats (18-8, 8-4 MIAA) put a pair of runs on the board in the first inning scoring two on a one-out double after a hit and an error led off the game. Jackson Mervosh led off the second inning with a single, moving to second on an error. He moved to third and scored on an RBI groundout by Chase Littrell to pull within one.
Northwest Missouri put two runners on in the third before smashing back-to-back runs to go up 6-1. They went yard again in the next inning hitting a solo home run. Washburn (10-16, 7-7 MIAA) started the fourth inning with a pair of walks. With two outs Owen Laessig hit a single deep in the left side of the infield to score one and make it 7-2 after four.
In the sixth inning Mervosh led off with a double and after a single by Jack Borgmann and Littrell was hit by a pitch the bases were loaded. Brooks Richardson was hit by a pitch, and Laessig followed with a single, each scoring one. Trenton Barry lifted a sacrifice fly, scoring another, and Ian Luce doubled down the left field line to pull within one at 7-6.
After a second straight scoreless inning by Fidel Hatch the Ichabods got back to work at the plate. Doubles from Easton Wasinger and then Borgmann tied the game at seven. Littrell slashed a single down the right field line, scoring Borgmann to put Washburn in front 8-7.
The next half inning Northwest Missouri strung together four straight baserunners, scoring two on a one-out single into left to go back in front. The lead was short lived with Barry working a leadoff walk in the ninth and Luce slashing a double to left-center, tying the game at nine. With two outs Borgmann slashed another double into the outfield, scoring Luce to put Washburn in front.
After entering in the eighth and recording the final two outs, Griffin Huiatt stayed on in the ninth and sat down the Bearcat bats in order to secure the 10-9 win.
Northwest Missouri State out-hit the Ichabods 13-12 while walks went in favor of Washburn 7-5. Each team committed one error in the contest.
Three pitchers combined to throw all nine for the Ichabods. Fidel Hatch took over for Caleb Lunnon after three innings, he tossed 4.1 with three runs allowed an a strikeout. Griffin Huiatt secured the win with 1.2 scoreless and a pair of punchouts.
At the plate Jack Borgmann went 3-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. Owen Laessig went 3-4 while driving in three and Ian Luce went 2-3 with two RBI and two walks. Jackson Mervosh also reached four times with two hits and a pair of walks.
