EDMOND – Three Northeastern State errors and a four-run fifth from Washburn would be too much to overcome in an 8-5 setback Friday afternoon. The loss drops the RiverHawks to an elimination game tonight at 7 p.m. against either Central Missouri or Pittsburg State.
Washburn advances to the MIAA Tournament finals Saturday at noon.
The RiverHawks trailed 2-0 early but took the lead on a three-run third from back-to-back doubles from
Brayden Rodden and
Brock Reller.
A scoreless fourth passed before Washburn tied the game on a double and then hit a two-out three-run homer to center to reclaim the lead.
Following a check-swing single from
Collin Klingensmith,
Lucas McCain blasted off a home run that stayed just inside of the left field foul pole to pull NSU back within one.
The Ichabods (33-18) would plate two insurance runs in the eighth after opening the frame with a walk, and a fielding error allowed a second Washburn batter to reach.
Hits were even a seven apiece, with three of Washburn's runs coming unearned.
Lee Callison (4-3) went five innings and struck out six batters,
Dakodah Jones tossed 2.1 out of the pen with three strikeouts, and
Cal Howard recorded the final two outs.
McCain and Reller had two-RBI games as the RiverHawks fell to 37-15.
