Feb. 29, the men’s baseball team looked to continue its domination in a three-game series against Missouri Western State University.

The series opened MIAA conference play for both teams – Washburn currently sits third in the MIAA conference standings – Missouri Western last.

Pitching for the Ichabods Saturday was 6’3″ lefty Jacob Head. Catching was junior Kros Bay. The pitching staff has done their job with a team ERA of 4.41.

Both teams started out hot, combining for seven hits and five runs within the first two innings.

The pitchers found their groove later in the game – mixing up pitches in an attempt to confuse batters. As both teams went through their lineup the first time, they became more familiar with the pitching style.

It was back-and-forth until a line drive in the bottom of the fourth brought the Bods to a 4-2 lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Bods had two great diving stops to keep the score 4-3. There were several base hits in the bottom of the seventh that pulled the Bods away 8-3.

Jacob Head got taken out after the sixth, allowing four hits and three runs.

“I was just trying to fill up the zone and compete,” said Head.

Ichabods brought in senior righty Brandon Gabler.

The Bods didn’t let up in the eight-inning scoring three runs on three hits – bringing the score to 11-3. Closer, Braden Minor, started the ninth and closed it out.

Head Coach Harley Douglas commented on the Bods dominant performance.

“I thought we put one together and did a nice job of pitching, it was a good turnout for us,” said Douglas.

No. 24 Wyatt Featherston went 4-4 at the plate during the game.

“I feel pretty darn good, it was a good team win,” said Featherston.

Washburn plays again Sunday afternoon against Missouri Western to wrap up the three game series and try to get a 3-0 sweep.

Sunday, March 1, the Ichabods finished up a three-game series against the Missouri Western State University Griffons.

The series opened conference play for both teams – Washburn currently sits third in the MIAA conference standings. Missouri Western last.

Power was the name of the game for the Ichabods, as the team smashed a total of four home runs.

The power was stalled for a little bit as a lead-off homer by shortstop Xavier De Leon was ruled foul after a lengthy review by the games umpiring crew. De Leon returned to the plate.

Head coach Harley Douglas showed some frustration following the call.

It didn’t matter however, as De Leon found his way on base with a single up the middle on the very next pitch of the at-bat.

Eventually, De Leon came around to score and so did third baseman Zion Bowlin – staking the Ichabods to an early 2-0 lead.

It was the second inning when the Ichabods once again saw the ball go over the outfield wall. This time it was official – as catcher Kros Bay launched one toward the trees near the new athletic training facility.

Sophomore starting pitcher Joe Roecker was plagued by repetitive singles in the middle innings which led the Griffons to take a 5-3 lead when Roecher was replaced by a bullpen arm.

That fresh arm came in the form of sophomore left-handed pitcher Jared Sharp.

Sharp tossed 46 pitches and recorded 7 outs for the Bods – he gave up one hit. His performance allowed the Ichabods to surge to a comeback.

The Bods began their comeback in the fifth inning thanks to an abnormally long at-bat by shortstop De Leon.

A wild pitch scored sophomore center fielder Mitchell Lady and clutch base hits by designated hitter Brett Ingram and second baseman Tyler Clark-Chipparelli leapfrogged the Bods over the Griffons, 6-5.

The Bods would hold the lead for the remainder of the game.

Left fielder Wyatt Featherston, third baseman Zion Bowlin and right fielder Dunn Parker have been studying launch angle as they watched themselves deposit the ball over the wall.

The bullpen stumbled a bit in the eighth inning and ninth, but sophomore right-hand pitcher Nick Steiner slammed the door.

Sharp was credited with the win, improving his record to 2-1.

The win secured the Ichabods with a clean sweep of the Griffons – winning all three match ups in the weekend series.

The win puts the Ichabods at 11-8 for the season.

The Bods will pack their bags this week as they will be back in action Friday, March 6, in Joplin, Missouri, against the Missouri Southern State University Lions.

Baseball returns to Falley Field March 13.

Edited by Adam White, Diana Martinez-Ponce