TOPEKA, Kan. - Baseball fell in game 1 of their first MIAA road series of the season at Washburn, 2-3 after Washburn walked it off in the bottom of the 9th with a sacrifice fly.
Newman, who averages 7.2 runs per game, and Washburn, who averaged 5.9 runs per game were only able to get 2 across through 8 and a half innings.
Washburn struck first with a solo shot in the bottom of the 2nd inning off the bat of Cale Savage. Savage would later get his 2nd RBI of the game with a double to right center to tie the things at 2.
Jenner Steele broke the Newman DII home run record in only his 2nd season at Newman with his 6th home run of the season and his 16th career home run to make history. No. 27 hit an 0-2 two run blast to left center that scored Shawn Marquis to give the Jets the lead 2-1. Jenner's home run gave him his 17 and 18th RBI's of the season. It took Steele 46 games to reach 10 home runs last season and only 16 games this season to hit more then half of that.
Joe Kinneberg took the spotlight in the 6th inning. Kinneberg made a great play on a hard shot at him to get the guy at first and keep Washburn's Book at 2nd base, then the very next play made a diving catch to turn a potential go ahead double into a loud out. Garrett VanDeventer fed off that energy and struck out the next batter to keep the game tied. VanDeventer finished the game with 7 innings, giving up 6 hits, 2 earned runs and striking out 3 batters.
Newman had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the 7th with 2 outs and runners on first and third but Washburn would escape the inning with a strikeout.
The Jets would go down in order in the top half of the 9th and Washburn would lead off the inning with a triple. NU would intentionally walk the next 2 batters to load the bases, bring in 2 defensive subs and bring in an outfielder to play in front of second base for a 5 man infield. Colby Wilson struck out the next batter after the 2nd intentional walk to give Newman a double play opportunity to escape the inning. The 5 man infield and 2 man outfield almost worked to perfection. Washburn's Trey Adams hit a sacrifice fly right to where left fielder Blake Mitchell was placed in left center for the 2 man outfield but the runner at third would beat the throw to home for an Ichabods walkoff win.
Newman and the Ichabods return to play for game 2 at 1 PM tomorrow. The Jets will look to snap a 4 game losing streak and earn their first win in Topeka since 2021.
