TOPEKA, Kan. – Rogers State baseball (16-13, 8-10 MIAA) dropped the first game of the three-game set 12-2 against Washburn (17-13, 11-7 MIAA) on the road Thursday.
 
The Hillcats dashed out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Back-to-back hit by pitches of AJ Folds and Jake Mitchell started the game, with a wild pitch later moving them into scoring position. Joel Escalante brought in Folds with a sacrifice fly to right. Matthew Delgado plated Mitchell with a sacrifice fly to center.
 
The Ichabods answered back in the bottom half with three runs to jump in front 3-2. A 2-2, lead off home run to right started things. A throwing error by the left fielder scored the second run with a double down the left field line bringing in the other run.
 
They added three more runs in the second to push out to a 6-2 lead. A single up the middle and a RBI triple down the right field line scored the first two runs, with the third run scoring on a throwing error by the second baseman on the same play.
 
Washburn tacked on two runs in the third to go up 8-2. A RBI groundout to second and a solo homer to left center plated the runs.
 
The Ichabods added a total of four more runs in the sixth and eighth innings to seal the 12-2 win.
 
Caden Bressler (3-2) earned the win. Blake Johnson (1-2) took the loss.
 
RSU will look to rebound in the second game of the series tomorrow. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.