Topeka Sun

Washburn scores 14 unanswered runs to defeat Newman, 19-12

Washburn scored a combined 14 unanswered runs in its last three innings up to bat and also set the program's single game record for the most stolen bases en route to a 19-12 victory over Newman on Sunday. The Ichabods will look to finish off the sweep on Monday afternoon in the series finale.

 

The Ichabods have now pushed their winning streak to 11 in a row and have an overall record of 12-7 with a 5-0 mark in conference play.

 

Washburn's previous single-game record for stolen bases was nine set on March 10, 2016.

 

Newman (6-11, 2-3 MIAA) got the scoring started in the third inning after a leadoff double eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

 

The Ichabods didn't trail for long as Cal Watkins drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third and swiped second base. Trey Adams tied the game with an RBI single to left center and then he promptly stole second. Easton Bruce reached on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder and he too kept the running game going with a stolen base. Cale Savage drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. After two outs on two pitches, Andrew Schmidtlein worked a seven-pitch walk to bring in a run to make it 2-1 in favor of Washburn. Caden Bressler also battled at the plate with a nine-pitch at bat before being issued a walk to bring in another run. Blake Scott hit a single to right field to drive in a pair of runs to put the Ichabods up, 5-1.

 

The Jets pulled within one in the fifth with three runs on one hit and a Washburn error.

 

In the sixth, Newman retook the lead with eight runs on five hits and a Washburn miscue to go in front, 12-5.

 

The Ichabods started to chip away at the seven-run deficit in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on the corners, Trevor McCollum reached on a fielder's choice and a throwing error allowed all runners to be safe and a run score. The Ichabods had a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs when Bressler tripled down the right field line. Scott followed that up with a double down the left field line to trim NU's lead to 12-9.

 

Chase Torkelson, who took over pitching duties for the final out in the sixth inning, retired the Jets in order in the seventh.

 

In the home half of the seventh, Washburn took the lead for good with all six runs in the frame scoring after an error with two outs. A throwing error committed by the third baseman allowed two runs to come in and extend the inning. Scott and Watkins hit back-to-back two-RBI singles to give Washburn a 15-12 advantage.

 

Washburn added four runs on five hits in the eighth to finish off the scoring. Bruce hit a leadoff single, stole second, and then scored on Savage's single through the left side. With runners on the corners, Schmidtlein emptied the bases with an opposite-field home run to left.

 

Torkelson finished out the win by striking out the side in the top of the ninth.

 

Washburn out hit Newman, 18-11. Scott finished the afternoon 3-5 with a walk, double, five RBI and one run scored. Bressler was 3-4 with a pair of walks, three RBI, and two runs. Watkins went 2-4 with a walk, two runs driven in, and scored once. He was also 4-4 in stolen bases, tying the single-game program record. Savage and Book each had two hits and scored twice. Schmidtlein collected four RBI and scored four times.

 

Torkelson improved to 2-1 after picking up the win. He pitched the final 3 1/3 innings and allowed only three hits and zero walks while striking out a season-high six. Washburn starter Rane Pfeifer went 4 1/3 and allowed three runs on three hits with five walks and five strikeouts.

Original source can be found here.