TOPEKA, Kan. – Rogers State baseball (23-29, 11-18 MIAA) could not comeback from an early deficit as they fell 9-3 to Washburn (27-18, 19-10 MIAA) on Saturday.
 
The Ichabods wasted no time as they exploded out of the gate with a 7-0 lead in the first inning. Three singles and a bases clearing, three RBI double brought in the runs.
 
Things devolved into a pitcher's duel after that with both pitching staffs working the next five innings without allowing a run and only scattering a combined four hits.
 
The Hillcats finally broke through in the seventh as Geovanni Blackshaw and Jake Mitchell went back-to-back with solo shots to cut into the deficit 7-2.
 
Washburn responded in the home half of the frame with two runs of their own to go back up 9-2 thanks to a RBI single and a throwing error by the pitcher on a failed pickoff attempt.
 
RSU added one final run in the top of ninth as Mitchell Smith went yard, driving a ball over the left field wall, to set the final score at 9-3.
 
Casey Steward (3-4) earned the win. Giancarlo Cortez (2-3) took the loss.
 
The Hillcats will look to salvage one game from the weekend as the two teams face off in the series finale tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.