By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University softball earned a 4-2 win over Missouri Western in the opening game of the MIAA Tournament on Wednesday afternoon in Emporia, improving to 36–18 on the season.
Former Seaman standout Aspen Burgardt drove in two of Washburn's four runs in Wednesday's 4-2 MIAA Tournament win over Missouri Western. [File photo/TSN]
With the win the Ichabods advanced to the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals where they will face top-seeded Missouri Southern at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The Ichabods struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when All-MIAA first-team pick Makenzie Sais drew a leadoff walk, moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Brees and a wild pitch, then came home on an Aspen Burgardt single.
Missouri Western briefly tied the game in the third, but Washburn answered when Sais singled to start the bottom of the inning and advanced on another sacrifice bunt by Brees.
After Dalaney Anderson reached base on a passed ball, Burgardt lifted a sac fly to center to bring Sais home, putting WU up 2–1.
The Ichabods added to its lead in the fourth when Madi Moore led off with a double to left and pinch runner Ashlyn Gaughan came home on Maddie McGee's double.
Moments later, McGee and Sais executed a double steal, with McGee swiping home to make it 4–2 and wrap up the scoring.
Washburn senior Sadie Walker improved to 19-8 with a 4-2 win over Missouri Western Wednesday. [File photo/TSN]
Senior pitcher Sadie Walker delivered a complete-game victory, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out nine.
Walker retired the Griffons in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to close out the win, improving to 19-8 on the season.
Offensively, Sais went 2 for 2 with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base, while Burgardt drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.
McGee added a double and an RBI, and Moore contributed an extra-base hit as Washburn tallied five hits on the afternoon.
