By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
The Washburn University softball team overcame multiple rain and lightning delays.to avoid elimination in the MIAA Tournament on Thursday at the Envista Softball Complex at Lake Shawne, posting a 3-1 win over Fort Hays State
Danielle Schlader is congratulated by Washburn softball coach Brenda Holaday after hitting a two-run homer in Thursday's 3-1 MIAA Tournament win over Fort Hays State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Jaycee Ginter came on in relief to pick up her 24th win of the season in Thursday's 3-1 MIAA Tournament win over Fort Hays State. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
Washburn (37-15) will play the loser of the Missouri Southern and Rogers State game at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The Ichabods never trailed against the Tigers.
Washburn took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Marrit Mead reached on a single to start the game, stole second and came around to score on a throwing error by the Fort Hays State pitcher.
Washburn pushed its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third when Silver Lake product Ellington Hogle singled to lead off the inning and then with two out freshman Danielle Schlager hit her second home run of the season, a two-run blast to center field.
The Tigers (31-24) cut the lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth when former Hayden standout Carly Stuke hit a home run to start the inning.
Former Shawnee Heights star Jaycee Ginter came on in relief of starting picher Sadie Walker before a 42-minute rain/lightning delay.
Ginter would go on to pitch the remaining four innings, allowing three hits and striking out two while improving to 24-9.
The Ichabods won despite getting just four hits in the game, from Mead, Hogle, Schlader and Paige Robbins all had hits for the Ichabods.
