EDMOND, Okla. -- Washburn secured a second straight series win to begin conference play with a three-hit pitching performance to defeat Central Oklahoma 5-1 on Saturday afternoon. The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday beginning at 12 p.m.  

The Ichabod (7-10, 5-1 MIAA) offense took the lead right away in the top of the first. Ian Luce and Jackson Mervosh both singled. Brandt Beeby hit an RBI groundout to put one run on the board and with two outs Jack Borgmann found space on the left side of the infield for a single to go up 2-0. 

Kai Bennett got the start for Washburn and worked a scoreless two first innings, striking out three. In the third Trenton Barry hit a one-out double to left field and Mervosh followed with a single to put two on. Borgmann came through with two outs again, lacing a double into right center, scoring both to double the lead.  

Next time up Levi Risenhoover led off with a double. Owen Laessig moved him to third with a sac bunt and Brooks Richardson plated Risenhoover with a single to go up 5-0. On the mound Bennett continued to cruise, finishing his outing after six innings allowing just three hits and holding the Bronchos scoreless.  

Mark Hoffman took over and picked up where Bennett left off, striking out two in the seventh while working a scoreless inning. Central Oklahoma got on the board in the eight inning, scoring one on a bases loaded walk but Hoffman was able to strand three and maintain the lead.  

Blake Priest took over on the mound in the ninth and stranded a pair of Bronchos on base while working a scoreless inning to secure the series victory.  

Washburn collected ten more hits than Central Oklahoma, leading 13-3, while UCO had nine walks to two for the Ichabods.  

Bennett, Hoffman and Priest combined to go the distance, striking out 12 in the game with just three total hits allowed. Kai Bennett moved to 1-2 on the year earning the win.  

At the plate Jack Borgmann went 2-4 and drove in three runs. Ian Luce, Trenton Barry, Jackson Mervosh and Brooks Richardson all had multi-hit days as well.