HAYS, Kan. -- Washburn blasted a season-high seven home runs Tuesday afternoon to defeat Fort Hays State 13-5 for a fifth straight win. The Ichabods stay on the road to face Rogers State for three games beginning Friday at 3 p.m.
The Tigers (12-27, 9-20 MIAA) got on the board first scoring a run on two hits in the first inning. Washburn (17-23, 13-13 MIAA) was able to even the game up at one after Owen Laessig lifted a leadoff home run in the third inning. Fidel Hatch quieted the Fort Hays State bats after the first inning with three straight scoreless innings to wrap up his start.
In the fifth Trenton Barry and Ian Luce both reached on singles after Laessig was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. A throwing error allowed two runs to score for the Ichabods to take the lead. With one out Jackson Mervosh slashed a single into left, scoring another run to make it 4-1. Griffin Huiatt took over on the mound after the fourth, tossing two scoreless innings to begin his day.
Washburn continued to add on with Luce, Levi Risenhoover and Jack Borgmann going back-to-back-to-back to lead off the seventh. The Tigers got one run back on two hits in the bottom of the seventh. Next time up Trenton Barry and Luce both reached before Risenhoover went yard for a second straight at-bat to go up 10-2. Two batters later Easton Wasinger blasted a solo shot to right field, adding another run.
The Ichabods continued to add on in the ninth with Brandt Beeby pinch hitting and slamming a two-run homer down the left field line. Fort Hays State scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth but Washburn held on to win 13-5.
Hits went in favor of the Ichabods 14-9 while the Tigers led 6-4 in walks and had the only error in the game. Three pitchers completed the game for Washburn with Fidel Hatch tossing four innings to begin the game, striking out five and allowing one run on three hits. Griffin Huiatt earned the win also throwing 4.0 innings with four strikeouts and allowing one.
Levi Risenhoover led the offensive charge hitting 2-6 with two home runs, the first multi-homer game for the Ichabods this season. He drove in four runs as well. Ian Luce went 3-6 with a home run while Easton Wasinger and Jack Borgmann each had multiple hits with homers. Brandt Beeby and Owen Laessig both also went yard.
