TOPEKA, Kan. — The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team used a massive eight-run seventh inning to cruise to a 15-6 victory over Washburn University in Friday's series opener at Steve Anson Stadium.
 
Northwest improved their record 18-7 and 8-3 in the MIAA while Washburn drops their record to 9-16 and 6-7 in the conference. Northwest Missouri State seized control with an explosive eight-run seventh inning, solidifying its command of the game.
 
Northwest Missouri State broke the scoreless tie in the third inning as Jeremiah Cabuyaban tripled to center field, followed by John Connors doubling to left center for an RBI, bringing home Cabuyaban. The score was 1-0 after three innings.
 
The Ichabods leveled the game in the fourth with an RBI double by Jack Borgmann that scored Easton Wasinger, tying the score at 1-1 through four innings.
 
In the fifth inning, Northwest Missouri State regained the lead. Frank Gall was hit by a pitch and scored on a ground-rule double by Connors. Wilmer Jimenez later scored on a wild pitch, and an RBI groundout by Jordi Ventura brought home another run, increasing the lead to 4-1.
 
Washburn narrowed the gap in the sixth when Jackson Mervosh doubled, scoring Easton Wasinger. A sacrifice fly by Chase Littrell added another run, making it a 4-3 game after six innings.
 
Northwest Missouri State surged ahead in the seventh inning, taking advantage of the Ichabods' errors. After loading the bases, Chester Brooks walked to bring in a run, and Gall followed with another RBI walk. Cabuyaban then hit a grand slam, extending the lead to 10-3. Parker Griffith capped the inning with a two-RBI ground-rule double, making it 12-3.
 
In the eighth, Washburn managed to score a run on a sacrifice fly by Littrell, cutting the deficit to 12-4.
 
Northwest Missouri State added insurance runs in the ninth with a three-run homer by Jimenez, bringing in Connor Wiese and Sam Wornson. The Ichabods responded with a two-run homer by Wasinger, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
 
Northwest Missouri State secured a 15-6 victory over the Ichabods.
 
Gage Busby started for Northwest Missouri State and pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits while striking out 7 batters and walking 3. Impressively, Busby recorded a season-high total of 3 strikeouts looking. He threw a total of 88 pitches, 57 of which were strikes, and registered a WHIP of 1.80. Jayme Fritts provided solid relief, pitching 2 innings without allowing an earned run, giving up only 1 hit, and managing to pick off a runner. Graden Hammond pitched the final inning, conceding 2 earned runs on 2 hits, including a home run, while striking out 1 and walking 1.
 
Cabuyaban delivered a standout performance, recording two hits, including a home run, and drove in four runs. Jimenez contributed significantly with two hits, one of which was a home run, and accumulated three RBIs while crossing the plate three times. Connors was effective at the plate, collecting two doubles and two RBIs, along with two runs scored. Gall showcased his versatility by scoring twice and stealing two bases, adding a hit and an RBI to his stats sheet.
 
Next Up:
Northwest and Washburn will continue their series tomorrow with game two of the three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday in Topeka, Kan.