MARYVILLE, Missouri - The Washburn University Ichabods scored a 12-9 series-opening win over the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats on Thursday afternoon.

The Ichabods led 6-1 only to see the Bearcats rally to take a 7-6 lead in the fifth. However, Washburn rallied with a pair of three run innings in the sixth and eighth to pull out the 12-9 triumph. Washburn out-hit Northwest, 13-12. The Bearcats committed four errors which led to three unearned runs for the Ichabods.

Washburn took advantage of a pair of defensive miscues in the top of the first from Bearcat shortstop Jacob Pinkerton. The Ichabods plated two unearned runs to take a 2-0 lead.

Northwest cut the lead in half two batters into the game. Brett Holden drew a leadoff walk and then sped around the bases when Donovan Warren ripped a liner to straight-away center for an RBI double. Warren was left stranded at second as the next three Bearcats were retired.

The Ichabods used three-hit innings in the second and third to elevate the lead to 6-1. 

The Bearcats tallied a single run in the third with a two-out rally. Warren singled and moved to second on a walk by Connor Quick. Ryan Koski drove home Warren with a single to center to trim the lead to 6-2.

Northwest evened the score at 6-6 in the fourth when the first three batters reached and all made their way around the base paths. Drew Mackie walked to lead off the fourth. Matt Gastner singled and both runners moved up when Caden Diel reached on a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt. Holden was hit by a pitch with the bases full to drive in a run, and Warren walked to plate the second run of the inning. Quick laced a two-run single to left that brought the Bearcats level with the Ichabods at 6-6.

The Bearcats took their only lead of the game in the fifth. Peter Carlson led off with a single. Carlson took off for a second, stole the base and ended up at third base when Washburn pitcher Cole Warner threw errantly on a pickoff play. Gastner drove a single to right, scoring Carlson that allowed Northwest to take a 7-6 lead.

Bearcat starter Zach Wiese tossed five innings allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned). He walked five and struck out three, but was in line for the win after a rocky start.

However, the win for Wiese was wiped away quickly when reliever Zach Shadlow was greeted by Washburn first baseman's Brett Ingram's solo shot to left to open the sixth. Washburn plated two more runs on Shadlow before he bowed out with only one out in the sixth. Phil Brennaman came on and ended the inning with a pair of groundouts to third that were handled by Holden.

Northwest battled back again and tied the game at 9-9 in the seventh. Carlson and Mackie led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Catcher Chase Broeker delivered a ground-rule double down the right field line to score Carlson. Pinkerton reached on a fielding error by Washburn third baseman Zion Bowlin that allowed Mackie to pull the 'Cats even.

The Ichabods would bat around in the eighth and score three runs, but also leave the bases loaded. Brennaman gave up a walk, a double and hit two batters in the eighth before he gave way to Blaine Hanf. Brennaman worked 2 1/3 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on only one hit, but walked two and plunked two others. Hanf pitched 1/3 of an inning and did not allow a hit, but walked two Ichabods.

Northwest had a pair of scoring chances in the eighth and ninth snuffed out by a pair of Washburn double plays. 

Northwest (13-24 overall, 11-20 MIAA) and Washburn (17-20 overall, 16-15 MIAA) will meet again Friday for a doubleheader beginning at noon at the Bearcat Baseball Field.

NOTES: Northwest hit into four double plays ... Matt Gastner went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI ... Donovan Warren went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored ... Connor Quick went 2-for-3 with two RBI and drew two walks ... Peter Carlson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored ... Brett Holden scored two runs ... Drew Mackie scored a pair of runs.