Washington baseball splits at Keokuk

KEOKUK — Washington needed to sweep Keokuk in Thursday night’s baseball doubleheader to finish tied with the Chiefs for fifth in the Southeast Conference standings. The Demons squandered that opportunity with a 9-6 loss in Game 1, but ended league play on a high note with a 7-5 in Game 2.

A furious Keokuk comeback stunned Washington in the opener. The Demons led 6-1 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, but Keokuk would score six in the frame and then add two in the sixth while keeping the Demons scoreless in their last five at-bats.

Kole Williams was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs in the Game 1 loss. Lucas Kroll went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs, but the rest of the squad collected just two hits total.

Ethan Zieglowsky and Isaac Vetter both pitched for Washington. Zieglowsky was tagged with the loss.

Washington’s offense was much more consistent in the second game. The Demons broke a 2-2 tie with a run in the top of the fourth and never trailed again. Washington scored at least one run in all but one inning.

Williams had another strong outing in Game 2, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Vetter went 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Zieglowsky had two hits.

Williams also earned the win on the mound. He gave up just three earned runs over six innings, and struck out two along the way.

Washington is now 6-19 overall after a loss to Clear Creek-Amana over the weekend. The Demons finished SEC play 6-14.