TOPEKA, Kan. – The Washburn Ichabod softball team dropped a MIAA doubleheader on Saturday afternoon to No. 7-ranked Pittsburg State, falling 6-0 and 11-3. Washburn will hit the road, continuing MIAA play at Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney next weekend starting Friday.

Game 1 – PSU 6, WU 0
The Ichabods (24-15, 1-9 MIAA) managed five hits in the opener but were unable to push a run across against Gorillas, losing 6-0 in the first game of the doubleheader.

Washburn threatened early and late but could not find a breakthrough. Makenzie Sais led off the first inning with a bunt single, while Aspen Burgardt rifled a double to right-center in the second. The Ichabods put runners in scoring position again in the fifth when Erin Boles and Maddie McGee posted consecutive singles, but Pittsburg State worked out of the jam each time.

Sadie Walker went the distance, giving up 12 hits and six runs (five earned) while striking out six in seven innings of work. She retired nine of ten hitters from the fourth through sixth frames.

Pittsburg State opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single before putting the game out of reach in the third. The Gorillas plated four runs in the frame, taking advantage of a leadoff single, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch before delivering three straight run-scoring hits.

McGee, Burgardt, Erin Boles, Taylor Brees, and Sais each recorded a hit for the Ichabods.

Game 2 – PSU 11, WU 3
Washburn softball totaled eight hits plating three runs but fell 11–3 to No. 7 Pittsburg State in the second game of the MIAA doubleheader.

The Ichabods showed early fight at the plate and erased a shutout with a run in the third inning before adding two more in the fifth. Pittsburg State (34-1, 8-0 MIAA), however, used a series of big innings to pull away and remain unbeaten in conference play.

Makenzie Sais paced the Washburn offense, going 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk. Danielle Schlader added two hits and drove in both Washburn runs on a two-run single in the fifth, while Taylor Brees also crossed the plate in the inning.

Washburn broke through in the third when Aspen Burgardt reached on an error, allowing Sais to score and cut the deficit to 3–1. The Ichabods mounted their biggest rally in the fifth scoring two unearned runs, pulling within 8–3.

In the circle, Jenna Sprague made the start and worked 4.2 innings before Kendra Cook finished the game in relief.