Box score (game one) | Box score (game two) | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU baseball Bearcats were just one or two plays away from earning their first win of 2010, as they dropped both ends of a doubleheader to the Washburn Ichabods, falling 3-1 in the first game, followed by a 12-4 loss in the second. Designated hitter Kyle Wise led the offense for the SBU, going 4-for-6 in the two games, knocking in a pair of runs.

Centerfielder Niko Saladis got the Cats' first hit of the opener, when he led off the fifth inning with a triple to right center. He later scored on a groundout from Nigel Morton. SBU had another big chance in the bottom of the sixth, when they had runners on second and third with one out. Justin Crumpley grounded to second base, but the throw came home and Kyle Wise was called out in a close play at the plate. SBU also had two on in the last of the seventh with one out, but a double play ended the contest.

Lefthander Greg Seay went seven innings in the loss, and struck out four while allowing just two earned runs.

The SBU bats warmed up a bit in the second game, as the 'Cats pounded out ten hits, most in a game this season so far. The Bearcats took a 2-1 lead in the fourth, when senior third baseman Justin Barnhart led off the inning with a double, then scored on Wise's single up the middle. The game slipped away from SBU in the sixth, when Washburn scored seven times to lead 8-2. Washburn catcher Andy Petz went 5 for 5 in the second game.

With the two losses, SBU falls to 0-8 overall, and 0-2 in the MIAA. The matchup with SBU was the first of the season for the Ichabods, who have had their first six games cancelled due to bad weather. Washburn is now 2-0, both overall, and in the conference.

The Bearcats and Ichabods will wrap up their four-game series on Saturday with another doubleheader beginning at noon from Dodson Field.