EMPORIA, Kan. - The Washburn softball team closed the regular season with a pair of come-from-behind wins Saturday afternoon, sweeping Emporia State in a doubleheader at Trusler Sports Complex. The Ichabods will return to Emporia on Wednesday, May 6, for their opening game in the MIAA Tournament as the No. 8 seed and will face the No. 9-seeded Missouri Western Griffons at 3 p.m.
Game 1 - WU 5, ESU 4 (8 innings)
Washburn rallied late recording a 5-4 win over the Hornets in extra innings, scoring three runs over the final two frames to edge Emporia State, 5-4.
The Ichabods struck first in the opening inning when
Dalaney Anderson launched a two-run home run to left field, scoring
Taylor Brees for an early 2-0 lead. Her round-tripper gave her RBI No. 62 and 63 on the season, breaking the Ichabod single-season record.
Emporia State answered with four runs across the next few innings, but Washburn pitching kept the margin within reach.
Sadie Walker battled through 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run, while
Jenna Sprague shut the door in relief over the final 1 2/3 innings picking up the win.
Washburn began its comeback in the seventh.
Makenzie Sais singled up the middle to drive in
Madi Moore, followed by an RBI single from
Taylor Brees that tied the game at 4-4.
In the bottom of the eighth, Washburn delivered the game-winner.
Aspen Burgardt singled and was replaced by pinch runner
Kate Dolan,
Taybor Moss lined an RBI single to left field, bringing home Dolan with the winning run. The Hornets went down in order in the eighth as the Ichabod secured the win.
At the plate, Moss went 3-for-4 with the game-winning RBI, while Brees finished with two hits and an RBI. Anderson drove in two runs with her first-inning homer.
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Game 2 - WU 7, ESU 6
Washburn used a six-run fifth inning and a late go-ahead run to secure the sweep as the Ichabods swept the Hornets for the first time in Emporia since the 2022 season.
Emporia State built an early 3-0 lead, but the Ichabods erupted in the top of the fifth.
Madi Moore was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to get Washburn on the board before
Kate Ediger delivered an RBI single.
The big hit came off the bat of
Danielle Schlader, who doubled to center field to plate two runs and swing the lead to Washburn.
Makenzie Sais and
Taylor Brees followed with RBI at bats, pushing the Ichabods in front, 6-3.
Emporia State answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to even the score, but Washburn once again found a timely response.
In the seventh inning, with Sais on base after drawing a walk,
Dalaney Anderson drove home the game-winning run with an RBI single up the middle, giving Washburn a 7-6 lead.
Walker, who entered in relief, earned the win by tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings down the stretch, improved to 18-8 on the season.
Washburn totaled 14 hits in the nightcap, led by
Taylor Brees (3-for-4, RBI),
Aspen Burgardt (2-for-4),
Kate Ediger (2-for-4, RBI) and
Danielle Schlader, who drove in two runs off the bench.
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