Scoring 17 runs over the course of two baseball games will often result in two victories. That wasn’t the case for the Washburn baseball team, who dropped a pair of road games to the Fort Hays State Tigers, 10-9 and 15-8, last Wednesday.

The Ichabods came roaring out of the gate scoring seven runs in the first inning. Zach Walton, junior outfielder, provided the power, hitting a grand slam to key the seven-run rally. Randy Wild, senior pitcher, left the game after pitching five innings and striking out six.

With Washburn leading 9-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Washburn relief pitcher Jake Iverson gave up a two-run home run to Tigers catcher J.R. Reynolds, slicing the lead to 9-7. Iverson walked the next batter and was replaced by relief pitcher Matt Traxler. After a wild pitch, walk, error, sacrifice bunt and a double to right-center field, Washburn found themselves on the losing end of a 10-9 game. Traxler was tagged with the loss and is now 0-2 on the season. Walton was 2 for 4 with four RBIs.

“We came out and put up seven runs early and thought we were going to have a good day, but then we kind of went stagnant for a while,” said Tommy Mangino, Washburn senior catcher. “We didn’t score again until the last inning. You have to score every inning, you can’t just put up seven in the first and expect that to hold you.”

In the second game, Washburn pitcher Zach Engelken endured a rough first inning as the Tigers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead. Washburn countered with four runs in the second inning.

Washburn led 8-6 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. However, the Tigers’ bats caught fire as they outscored the Ichabods 9-0 over the next three innings, pulling away to a 15-8 victory. Washburn pitcher Drew Tucker took the loss, and is 0-1 on the season. Dan Eagan, Washburn junior outfielder was 3 for 5 with two RBIs.

“The conditions weren’t real good and they were hitting a lot of balls out of the park,” said Wild. “Both games were tough losses, we were right there with them in both games. We need to come back and get them next week.”

Washburn will next play at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 15, at Falley Field against the Missouri Western Griffons. Washburn will host a second game against the Griffons at 3 p.m., Monday April 16. Washburn will then play Fort Hays at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at Falley Field.

“Missouri Western is a place ahead of us in the conference right now, so we need to come out and win both games,” said Wild. “We’re trying to move up into the top four in conference, so these games are huge.”