Bod Brief: Softball’s historic season ends with two NCAA tournament losses

Washburn+softball+poses+for+a+picture+during+senior+day+ceremonies+April+24%2C+2022%2C+Topeka%2C+Kansas.+Washburn+softball+recognized+its+three+seniors+between+games.

Kohichiro Yamada

Washburn softball poses for a picture during senior day ceremonies April 24, 2022, Topeka, Kansas. Washburn softball recognized its three seniors between games.

After ending the regular season with a 22 game winning streak and advancing to the MIAA tournament championship, Washburn softball season came to an end May 13 with a 6-1 loss to Winona State University in the NCAA Central Region Championships.

The loss comes a day after the No. 5 seeded Ichabods fell to No. 4 Minnesota State 1-0 in the opening round. The second loss completed Washburn’s double-elimination fate.

The Ichabods finish the year with a 45-15 record, the most for the program since 2002 and the third most ever. Twenty-six of those wins came at Ghanstrom Field where Washburn was undefeated for the year for the first time ever.

In game one of the tournament both teams combined for just five hits. The Mavericks were able to put two together in the sixth to score the only run of the game. Sophomore Jaycee Ginter pitched six innings, striking out seven but took the loss.

Game two was just as troublesome offensively for the Ichabods as they were held hitless through six innings. The Warriors scored two runs in the second, fourth and sixth innings, two of which were un-earned to take a 6-0 lead.

Ginter hit a home run in the top of the seventh, which was the only hit or run for Washburn on the day in the 6-1 loss.

The Ichabods season ends with an MIAA regular season championship and an NCAA tournament appearance for just the fifth time in program history.

Edited by: Glorianna Noland