Box Score (HTML) | Season Statistics (HTML)TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Mules baseball team (20-16, 15-10 MIAA) lost a one-run lead in the bottom of the 11th inning, yielding a pair of runs to host Washburn and falling by a 6-5 final.
Junior
Bennett Oliver went 2-for-3 with a homerun, driving in four of the five runs and scoring two runs of his own.
Trevor Ezell (1-4) was issued the loss, allowing two runs on two hits, walking two batters, while recording just one out.
The Mules got on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Back-to-back singles by
Dusty Maas and
Derek Cornell set up a sacrifice fly to left off the bat of Oliver.
Washburn answered back with a run in the bottom half of the inning following an RBI single from Kyle Carnahan, tying the game at 1-1.
The game remained tied until the top of the fourth when Oliver delivered a two-run homer over the right center field wall - his team-leading fifth this season.
An RBI groundout in the bottom of the sixth by Connor Crimmins cut the Mules' lead to 3-2, but the Mules took the run back in the top of the seventh when a throwing error by the shortstop allowed Oliver to score from second base.
The Ichabods chipped away at the lead, picking up a pair of runs in the seventh and eight innings to tie the game at 4-4, eventually sending the game into extra innings.
Following a scoreless 10th inning, the Mules took a 5-4 lead when Maas led off with a walk and later scored on a single to center by Oliver.
Ezell came in to throw in the bottom of the 11th, putting two of the first three batters on base via a walk and a single. With runners on the corners with one out, Cole Gardner laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached first on a throwing error by Ezell, allowing the tying run to come across home plate. Ezell intentiionally walked the next batter, loading the bases for Tanner Johnson, who singled to left center, giving the Ichabods the 6-5 win.
Mules starting pitcher
Carlos D'Armas tossed five innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits and walking a pair. Three Mules relievers (
Lucas Williams,
Grant Gavin and Ezell) combined for 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on six hits. The trio also walked two and fanned three Ichabods.
Central Missouri's 1-through-4 hitters finished a combined 7-for-16 with a homerun, four RBI, five runs scored and two walks.
The Mules and Ichabods will resume their series tomorrow in Topeka with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
