Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Washington knocked off in quarterfinals
Demon softball team falls to 2-time defending state champion Williamsburg
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
FORT DODGE — The seventh-seeded Washington softball team made two-time defending state champion work for every inch in Tuesday morning’s Class 3A quarterfinal, but the Demons couldn’t quite spoil the potential three-peat.
In what was a one-run game up until the final out of the sixth inning, Williamsburg erupted for four late runs to knock Washington out of championship contention, beating the Demons 7-2.
“There is nothing to hang your head about today,” said Washington head coach Ben Obermann. “You're right there battling with the two-time defending champs.”
Williamsburg scored every one of its seven runs with two outs, including its first two, in the bottom of the second.
Following a stellar play from Washington shortstop Leighton Salazar to get an out at third base, the Raiders had runners on first and second with two away. Sophomore Ava Hocker crushed a two-run triple off the fence, and it was 2-0 Williamsburg after two innings.
In the top of the third, it was Washington’s turn to make some noise, and with two outs in the third, it was Ella and Colbie Greiner who provided the big spark.
Ella Greiner, who had a double already in the game, reached first on a line-drive single to put one on with two outs. Colbie Greiner wasted no time, pummeling the first pitch of the at-bat to deep left-center field, a thunderous two-run home run to tie the ballgame.
“They're big time players,” said Obermann. “Everybody in the lineup is a big time player, even if it didn't happen for them today.”
Unfortunately for the Demons, those two hits accounted for half the team’s base knocks in the game. The Washington offense struggled to figure out Williamsburg ace Jersey Metz all day long.
The Raiders, however, had a tough time getting runs on Bella Salazar on the circle, The Demon senior allowed an unearned run in the fourth, but was then helped out by the defense of Leighton Salazar, who jumped into a rundown to gun a potential fourth run down at the plate. The game was 3-2 after four, and it would stay that way until the back end of the sixth inning.
“We stuck with them for a long time,” said Colbie Greiner. “We were up in the dugout, and we knew we could do it.”
Washington had a shot to tie or take the lead in the fifth when Colbie Greiner reached first on a walk, but the Demons couldn’t capitalize. That allowed Williamsburg one more shot to pile on runs before the seventh.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Raider senior Carly Rich blasted a two-run double off the wall to bring the Williamsburg lead to 5-2, and then star hitter Alley Gorsh sent the dagger to left, a two-run homer.
“They're hard to keep down for a long time,” Obermann said. “But I'm super proud of our kids. They battled.”
Washington was unable to get a rally going in the top of the seventh, and Williamsburg escaped with a five-run victory.
“We had nothing to lose,” Colbie Greiner said. “We were obviously the underdog, so we just gave it our all.”
Ella Greiner finished the game 2-for-3. Colbie Greiner was 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. Makenzie Messer finished with a single, the only other hit for the Demons.
In the circle, Bella Salazar gave up five runs (seven earned) on 10 hits and one walk.
Washington’s week at the state tournament is not done. The Demons (29-11) lost to Estherville-Lincoln Central in a consolation game Wednesday. Coverage of that game will appear in the Tuesday, July 29 edition of the Southeast Iowa Union.
“We showed we belonged here, hanging with the state's best,” said Obermann. “And the great thing is, we've got a chance to come back here tomorrow one more time.”
