TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod softball team came up short in a pair of MIAA doubleheaders falling 4-3 in nine innings before dropping the nightcap 9-0 in six innings on Friday at Gahnstrom Field against No. 11-ranked Missouri Southern. The Ichabods will be back in action on Saturday hosting the No. 7-ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas starting at 1 p.m.
Game 1 - #11 MSSU 4, WU 3 (9 innings)
Washburn put together a strong effort but was edged 4-3 in nine innings by Missouri Southern in the opener at Gahnstrom Field.
The Ichabods broke through in the fifth inning, when
Madi Moore started the rally with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner
Ashlyn Gaughan, who moved into scoring position with a stolen base.
Maddie McGee followed by reaching and advancing, setting the stage for
Makenzie Sais, who delivered a clutch two-out single up the middle to drive in both runners giving Washburn a 2-0 lead.
Washburn carried that lead into the seventh behind a solid outing from
Sadie Walker. The Lions, however, broke through in the seventh, using a combination of hits and a Washburn error to plate three runs - two of them unearned - taking a 3-2 lead.
The Ichabods responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning.
Kate Dolan reached and later came around to score, tying the game at 3-3 on a Missouri Southern throwing error as Washburn capitalized on another opportunity. The Lions then pushed the winning run across in the top of the ninth securing the 4-3 win.
Sais led the Ichabods offensively with a 3-for-5 performance with 2 RBI.
Erin Boles and
Aspen Burgardt added hits, while Washburn also drew six walks. Despite creating chances, the Ichabods left 10 runners on base.
Walker finished with 6.2 innings of work, allowing just one earned run, before
Jenna Sprague came on in relief. Missouri Southern eventually broke the tie in the ninth with an RBI double taking a 4-3 lead.
Washburn threatened in the bottom of the ninth with a two-out single but could not bring the tying run home.
Game 2 – MSSU 9, WU 0 (6 innings)
Washburn was limited offensively and couldn't recover from a big late inning, falling 9-0 to Missouri Southern in game two of the doubleheader at Gahnstrom Field.
The Ichabods threatened early, putting runners on in multiple innings, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the third and another chance in the fifth, but were unable to push a run across. Sais led Washburn at the plate, going 2-for-3, while the rest of the lineup was held to just two total hits.
Sprague kept the game scoreless through four innings before Missouri Southern broke through in the fifth with a two-run hit. The Lions then put the game out of reach in the sixth, erupting for seven runs on five hits.
Sprague took the loss, allowing five runs over 5.2 innings, while
Jalin Lavers was tagged for four runs in relief.
Despite drawing three walks and creating scoring chances, Washburn stranded six runners and was unable to find the timely hit, as Missouri Southern completed the sweep.
