By RICK PETERSON
The Washburn Ichabod softball team snapped a seven-game losing streak in dominant fashion on Thursday, rolling to a 9-1, 4-0 MIAA road sweep over Nebraska-Kearney.
Senior Sadie Walker threw a two-hitter in an 9-1 first-game win as Washburn snapped a seven-game losing streak with a twinbill sweep at Nebraska-Kearney. [File photo/TSN] The Ichabods, now 26-15 overall and 3-9 in the MIAA, will be back in action at 2 p.m. on Friday at Fort Hays State.
The Ichabods collected 14 hits in the opener, backed by a strong outing in the circle from senior pitcher Sadie Walker, who went the distance in the eight-run win.
Washburn struck first in the opening inning when Makenzie Sais reached base and eventually crossed the plate when Erin Boles drew a bases-loaded walk, putting the Ichabods ahead 1-0.
In the second inning Kate Ediger doubled to right-center and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Sais.
Moments later, Boles ripped a three-run double to right-center, plating Dalaney Anderson, Taylor Brees and Maddie McGee, extending the Ichabod lead to 5-0.
Nebraska-Kearney answered with a single run in the bottom of the second, but that would be all the offense the Lopers could manage against Walker.
Washburn continued to apply pressure in the third inning when Brees reached on a fielder's choice to bring home Ediger, pushing the lead to 6-1.
The Ichabods put the game away late, scoring three runs in the seventh inning.
Pinch-hitter Kierra Goos drove in Ediger on a fielder's choice before Anderson delivered a two-run single to center, scoring Goos and McGee to cap the scoring.
Walker earned the win, improving to 13-7 on the season after tossing a two-hitter over seven innings and striking out seven.
Sais finished 3 for 3 with a walk, RBI, run scored, and a stolen base. Ediger went 3 for 4 and crossed the plate three times, while McGee also posted three hits and scored twice.
Boles drove in a career-high four runs and Anderson added two RBI as Washburn drew five walks and struck out just once.
Jenna Sprague tossed a complete game, three-hit shutout in the nightcap as the Ichabods earned the 4-0 victory.
Washburn scored all four of its runs in the second and fourth innings.
The Ichabods jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the top of the second inning after loading the bases with one out.
Aspen Burgardt ignited the rally with a triple to center field and came home on a sacrifice fly by Madi Moore to open the scoring.
Washburn kept the line moving as Danielle Schlader followed with a single, setting the stage for Ediger, who doubled to right-center, driving in Boles.
The inning ended when McGee lifted a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Schlader to score and making it a 3-0 game.
The Ichabods added an insurance run in the fourth when Moore was hit by a pitch, Ashlyn Gaughan entered as a pinch runner and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch.
Ediger came through again with a double, this time to left field, scoring Gaughan to account for the final margin.
Sprague struck out six while improving to 4-5 on the season.
The Lopers (13-24, 2-6) put a runner in scoring position after a double, but Sprague worked out of the jam.
UNK threatened again in the sixth, but a sharp line-drive double play ended the inning.
Ediger finished the second game 2 for 3 with two doubles and two RBI and Washburn totaled five hits overall and also drew three walks.
Burgardt went 1 for 3 with a triple, a walk and a run scored, while Brees added a single.
