By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University baseball trailed No. 3-ranked Central Missouri four times on Sunday afternoon but battled back from all four to end the series with a 10-9 MIAA win at Falley Field.
Jett Buck (16) put Washburn ahead to stay with a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Ichabods topped No. 3 Central Missouri 10-9 in Sunday's series finale. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
A three-run Jett Buck home run in the bottom of the eighth that capped a four-run inning and clutch relief pitching in the top of the ninth pushed Washburn to its first win in the series, with the Ichabods improving to 14-10 overall and 9-5 in the MIAA.
Central Missouri (22-4 overall, 11-2 MIAA) got on the scoreboard in the top of the first, beginning the game with a double. A walk put another runner on base and a high-bouncing double in the outfield scored both runs to make it 2-0.
Trevor McCollum was hit by a pitch to lead off the Ichabod first and moved to third on a single by Payton McHarg. Cale Savage grounded into a double play that brought in the first run of the game for the Ichabods.
With the bases clear again Cash Jay doubled down the line in left field and was quickly brought home as Hayden Priest shot a single up the middle to tie the game.
The Mules regained the lead in the top of the second with a one-out solo homer to right-center. Washburn starter Chase Torkelson retired two of the next three hitters to get out of the inning.
Cal Watkins led off the WU second with a single to right field and Trey Adams traded place with him on a fielder's choice. McCollum poked a single into right field, moving Adams to third. McHarg brought him home with an RBI grounder to tie the game again.
Neither side got on the board in the next three innings as Torkelson settled in to retire nine of 11 batters.
In the sixth UCM got a walk and a single to put two on with no out. A sacrifice fly brought in the first runner and a single to right field scored a second. Reliever Fidel Hatch got the final two outs of the inning to sit down the Mules.
Buck led off the sixth with a double down the left-field line and scored on a one-out double from Adams. McCollum kept the line moving with a single into right field to tie the game for a third time after six.
Connor Scott led off the seventh with a double down the right-field line and, after getting moved to third base, Washburn took its first lead, with Watkins beating out an infield single and driving in Scott.
Two pitches into the eighth Central Missouri tied the game with a solo home run. The Mules got a two-out walk and moved to third on a stolen base and wild pitch. A single put the Mules in front and a double down the left-field line scored another run. A fourth run in the inning scored as the Ichabods got the third out in a rundown.
McHarg started the eighth inning rally with a leadoff home run to right field. Jay was hit by a pitch and Priest reached with a single to center.
Then, with two outs and two on, Buck put Washburn back in front with a home run into the trees in left-center field to make it a 10-9 game.
Cole Warner, Charlie Kiefer and Griffin Huiatt combined to hold the Mules scoreless in the top of the ninth, with Kiefer getting a pair of strikeouts and Huiatt earning his first save with a flyout to end the series.
Washburn picked up 15 hits in the game, out-hitting UCM by five. McHarg led with three hits, driving in two while Buck was one of five Ichabods to get two hits in the game, driving in a team-high three runs with his game-winning homer.
The Ichabods used five pitchers in the contest, combining to strike out five and walk six. Warner moved to 1-0 on the year with the win.
Brennen Van Breusegen went 3-3 at the plate for UCM and drove in three runs.
The Ichabods play their first neutral field game of the season on Tuesday in Claremore, Okla. against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
