By RICK PETERSON
Washburn University softball Ichabods boosted its win streak to four games Friday with a 12-1, 6-0 sweep at Fort Hays State.
The Ichabods followed up Thursday's 9-1, 4-0 sweep at Nebraska-Kearney with Friday's routs, outscoring the two MIAA foes by a 31-2 margin.
Freshman Taylor Brees went 5 for 6 with five RBI and four runs scored in Friday's twinbill sweep at Fort Hays State. [File photo/TSN] Washburn out-hit the Tigers 27-6 and outscored the host squad 18-1 on Friday.
With the wins, Washburn improved to 28-15 overall and 5-9 in MIAA play, while Fort Hays State dropped to 17-20 and 3-9 in the conference.
The Washburn offense erupted early and often in the first game Friday afternoon, plating 10 runs across the second and third innings on the way to a 12-1, five-inning victory.
The Ichabods finished with 14 hits, six walks and 12 RBI.
After a scoreless first inning, Washburn broke the game open with a five-run second.
Following a walk to Danielle Schlader and singles from Kate Ediger and Makenzie Sais, Shawnee Heights product Taylor Brees delivered a two-out, three-run double to left-center, scoring Sais, Maddie McGee and former Heights standout Karlyn Bowman.
Dalaney Anderson followed with an RBI double to plate Brees and former Seaman standout Aspen Burgardt capped the inning with an RBI single to left as Washburn jumped out to a 5 0 lead.
The Ichabods continued to pile on runs in the third, scoring five runs on four hits. Sais drove in Schlader with a single and Brees knocked in another run with a base hit to center.
With runners on, Burgardt came through for the second time, ripping a three-run double to left-center that pushed the advantage to 10-0.
Washburn added two more runs in the fourth inning.
Madi Moore doubled to start the frame and later scored on an Ediger double to right-center.
Ediger then crossed the plate on a McGee RBI groundout, extending the lead to 12-0.
Fort Hays State broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fourth when Lilly Mohr doubled to right center to score Abbey Duarte, but it would be the Tigers' lone run of the contest.
Washburn's Sadie Walker limited Fort Hays State to one run on one hit, walking two and striking out two while needing just 70 pitches to complete the five-inning win.
Sais paced the Washburn offense with a perfect 3 for 3 game that included two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Brees was also 3 for 3, scoring twice and driving in a four runs, while Ediger finished 3 for 3 with two runs and an RBI.
Burgardt had four RBI on two hits and Anderson went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Washburn completed the sweep of Fort Hays State with a 6-0 shutout victory over the Tigers, winning its eighth in a row over the host squad.
The Ichabods scored the only run it would need in the top of the first inning.
After Brees singled with one out, Anderson doubled to left-center, driving in Brees.
Anderson advanced to third on a fielding error as Washburn took a 1-0 lead.
Washburn added to its lead in the third inning with a pair of runs.
With two outs, Anderson singled to keep the inning alive before Burgardt singled to left field, scoring McGee.
Moments later, Moore worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home Anderson, extending the WU lead to 3-0.
The Ichabods manufactured another run in the fourth.
Singles from Ediger and Sais put runners in scoring position before Brees lifted a sacrifice fly to left, allowing Ediger to score for a 4-0 Washburn advantage.
Washburn put the game away in the sixth inning.
Sais singled and Brees followed with a base hit before both runners advanced on a double steal.
Anderson delivered again, ripping a two-run double to left center that scored Brees and Sais to wrap up the scoring.
Anderson paced the Washburn offense, finishing 3 for 4 with three RBI and two doubles.
Brees went 2 for 3, scored twice and drove in a run, while Sais added two hits and a run scored.
Burgardt and Moore each recorded RBI and Washburn totaled 13 hits in the contest.
In the circle, Jenna Sprague tossed a complete game shutout to improve to 5-5 on the season.
Sprague allowed five hits, walked none and struck out four while facing just 26 batters over seven innings.
Fort Hays State stranded five runners and never advanced a runner past second base.
Brees was 5 for 6 on the day with five RBI, batting .833 and scoring four runs.
Anderson and Ediger were 5 for 7 on the day was and Anderson had three of Washburn's eight doubles on the afternoon.
Sais also had five hits, with three runs scored.
Walker and Sprague had a combined 0.58 ERA for the day, while the Tigers' ERA was 9.33.
Washburn returns to action next Friday, continuing MIAA play at Central Missouri.
