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Washington Evening Journal
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Heartbreak for Washington softball
Central Lee storms back to stun Demons in regional semifinals
WASHINGTON — The 13th-ranked Washington softball team saw their promising season come to an unceremonious end on Saturday night in the Class 3A Region 8 semifinals against No. 15 Central Lee.
The Demons, who controlled much of the game on the defensive side, fell victim to a four-run seventh inning for the Hawks, who scored a stunning 5-4 victory.
“Things happen in this game,” said Washington head coach Ben Obermann. “This game is unforgiving at times.”
The Demons held a 4-1 lead after five innings, thanks to RBIs by Rylee Libe and Lauren Hinrichsen in the fourth inning and a two-run double by Alyvia Anderson in the fifth, turning what was a 1-0 deficit into a three-run lead.
Washington pitcher Bella Salazar had Central Lee off balance at the plate all night, but she finally got into some trouble in the seventh inning.
In their final at-bat, the Hawks made things dangerous by loading the bases with one out, and a pair of two-run singles shocked the home Demon crowd, as the Hawks took a 5-4 lead with just one Washington at-bat left.
The top of the seventh could have been worse, if it hadn’t been for Emery Walton in center field. The Demon senior made a catch and doubled off a runner at second base to end the inning and give the Demons a chance to tie or win the game.
Washington loaded the bases in the seventh, thanks to a hit-by-pitch drawn by Walton and a single by Libe, as well as a walk to Hinrichsen.
Kendall Hinrichsen and Leighton Salazar both came up to bat with a chance to win it. Hinrichsen sent a long fly ball to center field but the ball was caught and runners didn’t tag, and Salazar flew out on a ball in left field foul territory.
“They beat us there in the seventh,” Obermann said. “They had the big hits, and we didn't.”
Anderson led the team, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Leighton Salazar was 2-for-4 with a double. Libe and Lauren Hinrichsen each collected a pair of hits.
Bella Salazar threw all seven innings, giving up five earned runs in the loss.
The Demons, who saw themselves jump all the way into the Top 8 in the Class 3A at different times this season, ended the year 24-12 overall and 11-3 in conference play. Washington’s overall mark is tied for the most wins since the 2013 state tournament team.
Central Lee (25-10) takes on top-seeded Assumption on Tuesday night for a ticket to the state tournament.
