Panthers sweep Demon baseball

The Demons were collecting hits on Friday afternoon, but couldn?t bring enough of those runners to score in a doubleheader with Mt. Pleasant.

Thirteen total base runners were left stranded for the Washington baseball team over the night, as the team was swept 6-4, 7-2 in conference action by the Panthers.

?Offensively we were productive, but we needed a big hit to kind of break the game open,? Washington baseball coach Nathan Miller said. ?It was a credit to Mt. Pleasant; they made some pitches at the right time, and made some good defensive plays that got them out of several jams. We had double-digit hits, and Michael Gier pitched well. It was just a tough game.?

The Demons fell to 3-7 (2-4 in conference action) after being swept, and will look to use a break in the conference schedule to regroup and focus on the second third of the season.

?It?s a turning point as we go through the last 20 games, because our focus is the postseason,? Miller said. ?We?ve been mixing up the lineup quite a bit, but now you?ll start seeing a more solid lineup. We?ll start to be fixed. The guys that are stepping forward and playing consistent will see a little more time, and the other guys will start fitting into their roles.?

The Demons will be preparing for a nonconference game against Mid-Prairie on Tuesday before taking on Fort Madison at home on Thursday.