Washington drops pair to end week

It was a tough week for Washington baseball, as the Demons suffered back-to-back losses between Wednesday and Friday.

On Wednesday, the Demons were shut out by Mid-Prairie in a 7-0 defeat. Blayze Richardson of Washington and Gentry Bontrager of Mid-Prairie were locked in a pitchers’ duel for the first three innings, with both teams held scoreless during that stretch.

But the Golden Hawks' offense came alive in the middle innings, scoring three runs in the fourth, one each in the fifth and sixth, and two more in the seventh to seal the win.

Bontrager not only threw a three-hitter on the mound but also contributed at the plate with two hits and two RBIs. Teammates Blake Swart and Cash Brown also had two hits apiece as Mid-Prairie outhit Washington 8-3.

For the Demons, Nate Edmonds, Mitchell Zieglowsky, and Cole Vetter each recorded one hit.

Friday's matchup against Southeast Conference rival Keokuk was a much closer contest. Washington never trailed through the first five and a half innings, scoring two runs in the top of the first.

Keokuk responded with one in the bottom half, and the Demons maintained a 2-1 lead until the Chiefs tied it up in the third.

After a scoreless fourth, Washington regained the lead with a run in the fifth. But Keokuk responded with a big three-run inning in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead.

Washington made a push in the seventh, bringing in one run, but ultimately fell short as Keokuk held on for the 5-4 win.

With the losses, Washington’s record falls to 4-19 overall and 3-13 in Southeast Conference play.

They will take on Pella in a doubleheader on Monday.