By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn baseball never trailed in Friday's MIAA series opener against Central Oklahoma, posting a 7-3 victory at Falley Field.
Connor Scott
Casey Steward
Washburn (24-11 overall, 14-7 MIAA) got the scoring started in the second inning after Connor Scott led off the frame with a triple to left field and then scored the first run on a sacrifice fly by Cal Wakins
Easton Bruce singled to center field and Kros Bay hit a single of his own and wound up at third after two errors on the play resulted in an Ichabod run.
Cale Savage followed with another single to drive in Bay and put the Ichabods in front, 3-0.
Ichabod starting pitcher Casey Steward did not allow a runner past second base until the fifth inning when Central Oklahoma (20-14, 12-9 MIAA) got on the board after a single, groundout, and an RBI single to trim Washburn's lead to 3-1.
Washburn's offense showed its power in the sixth inning as Scott led off with a single and Watkins cleared the bases with a two-run no-doubt home run over the right field fence.
With one out, TrevorMcCollom cranked out a homer to create some distance with a 6-1 advantage.
The Ichabods added another run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 7-1 contest.
With two outs, Brett Ingrams got things started when he sent the first pitch of his at bat to right field for a single. Scott ripped a double down the left field line to put a pair of Washburn runners in scoring position. Before the first pitch was thrown to the next batter, a balk was issued and Ingram came in to score.
The Bronchos got some momentum going in the top of the ninth and scored a couple of runs on three hits and an error, but a 4-6-3 double play closed the door and sealed the Washburn win.
Washburn held a 10-8 edge in hits and had four extra base hits. Scott wrapped up the night 3 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored. Watkins hit his third home run of the season and went 2 for 3 and had three RBI.
Steward earned his third straight victory to improve his record to 4-0. He went six innings and allowed one run on four hits and three walks and recorded six strikeouts.
Game 2 of the three-game set will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at Falley Field.
