Washington softball skates past Keokuk

WASHINGTON — Everything seemed to come together for Washington softball on Monday night.

The Demons, who have been competitive in every game this season but it has not shown in the win column, got a pair of them on Monday against Keokuk.

Washington defeated the Chiefs in each of the two games, 3-2 and 7-0.

It was an all around great night for the Demons.

The Demons got going early in game one. After making quick work of the Chiefs in the top of the first, the Demons brought two runs home in their half of the inning.

Isabella Salazar and Haley Mitchell both singled, followed by an Emmy Wenger walk. Alyvia Anderson then hit a two-run single off an error.

In the ensuing four innings, the Washington bats were not as effective as the Demons went four innings without another run.

The Demon’s defense held strong.

“We’ve been playing pretty good softball,” Washington head coach Ben Obermann said. “We’re starting to figure some things out defensively. We really only had one inning where we feel we gave up extra bases tonight.”

Keokuk went scoreless in the first three innings, until tying it the fourth at 2-2.

The two teams were tied for just one inning as Washington got the run to break the tied just two innings later.

Washington scored a single run in the bottom of the sixth and held the Chiefs off in the seventh to pick up its first win of the night.

“It feels great to get two wins,” Leighton Salazar said. “Everyone feels more confident in themselves and we’re all excited.”

Leighton Salazar led the Demons with two hits in game one. Isabella Salazar, Haley Mitchell and Kendall Hinrichsen all had one.

Isabella Salazar was the winner in the circle, giving up six hits, two runs, three walks and five strikeouts.

“I’m proud of our girls,” Obermann said. “They are continuing to stay the course and working hard in practice. They’re competitors and they’re staying positive.”

Game two was another great showing for the young Demons side.

Washington held Keokuk scoreless, while giving up just four hits.

The Demons scored their first run in the bottom of the third when Ella Greiner made contact with the ball and Leighton Salazar was able to score off a wild throw.

After a scoreless fourth, the Demons added two in the fifth off a Leighton Salazar single and a Mitchell hit followed by a wild throw to make it 3-0.

In the sixth, Washington tacked on four more for good measure.

Anderson got the Demons started with a single and stolen bases of second and third. Olivia Hamilton was walked and Kendall Hinrichsen made contact with the ball bringing home Anderson. Salazar grabbed an RBI with a single and Isabella Salazar followed with a single herself. Greiner tallied her second RBI with a single. A wild pitched gifted the Demons their final run to make it 7-0.

Leighton Salazar went 3-4 in the win with a pair of RBIs. Greiner also tallied three hits in the win Isabella Salazar and Anderson finished with two hits.

Halle Cuddeback took the win, allowing just four hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

“It’s good to see our girls experience success,” Obermann said. “They deserve it.”