BRANSON, Mo. – The Washburn Ichabods split their final scheduled non-conference games of the season on the final day of the Branson Grand Slam Classic topping Illinois-Springfield 11-10 before falling to Truman in the nightcap. The Ichabods will open MIAA play back at Gahnstrom Field on March 13, hosting Northeastern State and then Rogers State the following day in a pair of MIAA doubleheaders.
Game 1 - WU 11, UIS 10
Washburn rallied with four runs in the seventh inning to secure an 11-10 win over Illinois Springfield on March 7 in Branson, Missouri.
The Ichabods erased a late 9-6 deficit in the final frame.
Aspen Burgardt delivered a two-run single to tie the game at 8-8 before
Kierra Goos followed with a two-run single to center field, giving Washburn the lead for good.
Dalaney Anderson paced the Washburn offense with two hits and two RBI, while Burgardt drove in a team-high three runs. Goos also contributed two hits and two RBI and
Kate Dolan added two hits and two runs scored.
Jenna Sprague worked five innings in relief to earn the win in the circle, allowing three runs while striking out three as Washburn improved to 23-5 on the season.
Illinois Springfield finished with 12 hits, led by Rosie Bartletti's two hits and two RBI, but the Prairie Stars could not hold the late lead as Washburn completed the comeback victory.
Game 2 – Truman 3, WU 1
Washburn held a late lead, but Truman State scored three unanswered runs over the final two innings to hand the Ichabods a 3–1 loss.
Washburn (23-6) took the lead in the fourth inning when
Aspen Burgardt launched a solo home run to left field for the game's first run. The Ichabods finished with six hits in the game, led by
Maddie McGee, who went 2-for-3 and later stole second in the seventh inning.
Taylor Brees,
Dalaney Anderson, Burgardt, and
Kate Dolan each added a hit.
Truman State tied the game in the sixth inning after an error helped extend the frame, allowing Jayda Long to drive in the equalizer with an RBI single. The Bulldogs then broke through in the seventh as Emily Wood delivered an RBI single to score Riley Redig, and Katie Pilcher followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 3–1.
Washburn threatened in the bottom of the seventh when McGee singled and moved into scoring position, but Truman State recorded the final two outs to seal the win.
Sadie Walker (11-4) took the loss for Washburn, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out three in a complete-game effort. Truman State's Jayda Long earned the win in relief.
Washburn finished with six hits while Truman State collected eight in the contest.
