The Washburn baseball team (4-4) battled in its home opener at Falley Field but suffered a 15-5 loss to Norman University on Tuesday Feb. 23.

Washburn had nine hits in the game as a team but allowed 19 hits. Zane Mapes and Kyle Carnahan each had two hits (including one double each) while Riley Krane hit a three-run blast, his second straight game with a home run.

Dan Gabler (1-1) took the loss after pitching 3.1 innings and allowing six runs as Washburn threw seven relievers in the game.

The Ichabods started off strong but struggled to slow down Norman’s offense. Norman struck first in the first inning with a two-run home run taking a 2-0 lead.

Down 3-0, Washburn had a run of their own as they took the lead briefly with five runs but couldn’t sustain the offensive effort.

Payton Soicher led off the third inning with a single up the middle before moving to second when Mapes was hit by a pitch. Krane then hit a three run shot to deep to right center tying the ball game 3-3.

Parker Gibson continued the rally with a triple to centerfield and came home on David Gauntt’s sacrifice fly after Carnahan drew the walk.

Carnahan stole second during Lance Barkley’s at-bat and moved to third on a ground out before cruising home for Washburn’s fifth run on a wild pitch from Norman.

Unfortunately the bleeding would continue for Washburn as Norman would score 10 straight runs and regain the lead for good from the fourth to ninth innings.

Washburn opens MIAA play this weekend, Feb. 26-28, with a three-game series at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, MO.