TOPEKA, Kan. – The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team dropped a 7-5 decision to the Washburn University Ichabods Wednesday at Falley Field.
 
Northwest (14-23 overall, 8-16 MIAA) dug out of a 4-0 deficit with a four-run rally in the third inning to even the contest.
 
Cole Slibowski had drawn a two-out walk and moved up to second when Jacob Pinkerton was hit by a pitch. Brett Holden began the comeback with an RBI single through the left side that plated Slibowski. Drew Mackie followed with a three-run home run to center field to knot the game at 4-4.
 
The Ichabods took a 7-4 lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly, a run-scoring single and a fielder's choice as they chased Bearcat starter Alexander Lovin from the contest.
 
Lovin pitched three-plus innings and was charged with seven runs (all earned) on six hits. Lovin struck out two and walked one.
 
The Bearcats climbed a run closer in the fifth when Mackie hit a sacrifice fly to score Sliblowski.
 
Northwest had a chance to trim the lead even more in the eighth with runners at first and second with one out, but Ryan Koski struck out and Caden Diel grounded out to the pitcher.
 
The Bearcats went to work in the ninth down by two. Ryan Williams popped out to second to lead off the inning. Jordan Peck singled to center. Tyler Peters pinch hit and reached on an infield single to third base. Caden Opfer pinch ran for Peters and moved up to second when Pinkerton reached on a fielder's choice as Peck was out at third. Holden singled to third to loaded the bases with two outs, which forced a Washburn pitching change. Washburn called in Dalton Huggins to get the final out. Huggins got Mackie to strike out on a 2-2 count to end the contest and give the Ichabods a 7-5 victory.
 
Northwest will return home tomorrow to begin a three-game series with the University of Central Oklahoma. Thursday's matchup will begin at 3 p.m. at the Bearcat Baseball Field.

NOTES: Brett Holden has reached base in 12 consecutive games ... Drew Mackie extended his consecutive games reaching base to 11 ... Jacob Pinkerton has reached base in 10 straight games ... Holden went 2-for-4 for his 10th multi-hit game of the season.