By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University junior Sadie Walker pitched her third career no-hitter Tuesday, striking out a career-high 13 in the Ichabods' 4-0 win over Northern State at Gahnstrom Field.
Washburn junior Sadie Walker pitched her third career no-hitter in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Northern State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The WU win salvaged a split on the day after the Ichabods had dropped a 6-2 decision to Wayne State.
Walker, a Holton native, notched her previous high for strikeouts against Texas A&M-Kingsville earlier this season when she struck out 11.
Washburn scored in its first at bat when Kate Ediger's sac fly scored Makenzie Sais, who singled and then stole second base and moved to third on Kaylee Wagner's single.
The Ichabods (12-5) added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth as Sais started the inning with a single and then scored on Wagner's triple to to left.
Ediger reached base with a single down the line, and then with two outs, Ellington Hogle's single scored both Ediger and Ashley Gaughan, who scored to put Washburn up 4-0.
Walker then put the Wolves down in order in the seventh, striking out the final two batters to give her 13 on the day. Walker walked only one batter while throwing a total of 81 pitches.
Sais had three singles and two stolen bases, scoring a pair of runs and Silver Lake product Hogle had two hits and two RBI in the win.
The Ichabods dropped the opener 6-2, allowing all six runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Washburn took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an Ediger single that scored Sais, who singled in the third inning.
In the top of the fourth, the Wildcats scored four runs on four hits and added a solo run in the fifth and one more in the sixth.
Washburn stranded 11 on base against Wayne State. Five different players had a hit for the Ichabods.
Ichabods will have a short turn around as they will open the Midwest Classic Friday in Shawnee with games against Augustana and Maryville before facing Minnesota State and Rockhurst on Sunday.
