The fifth-ranked Missouri Southern baseball team scored three runs over the sixth and seventh innings and held on to defeat Washburn 3-1 on Friday in the series opener in Topeka, Kansas.
The Lions (10-0, 4-0 MIAA) got a strong start from Zach Parish as he went six innings, striking out five, walking none, and scattering three hits, while holding the Ichabods scoreless. Cole Woods threw two and two thirds, striking out four, while Chase Beiter got the final out for his second save of the season. Parish moved to 3-0.
Henry Kusiak had an RBI triple and a run scored, while Jordan Fitzpatrick had a hit and an RBI, as well. Troy Gagan and Matt Miller had a hit and run each, while Ryan Hunter had an RBI.
Washburn (2-6, 2-2 MIAA) starter Rane Pfeifer started and held the Lions hitless through the point he exited the game in the sixth, but a bases-loaded walk gave the Lions a lead in the inning.
Southern scored that first run in the sixth when Hunter walked with the bases-loaded, scoring Gagan to put the Lions up 1-0. Kusiak tripled down the right field line to score Miller in the seventh and then Kusiak scored on an RBI single from Fitzpatrick to go up 3-0.
Washburn got a late run in the ninth, but Beiter closed out the game for the win.
The two teams will be back at it tomorrow in a double-header beginning at 1 p.m.
