The No. 7 Washington Demon softball takes their first crack at the State Tournament since 1997 today when they face off against No. 3 Carlisle.

The Demons are 31-8 through the post season, with a batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage ranked second in class 4A, and just ahead of third place in all of those stats Carlisle.

The Demons are hitting .406 and has an on base percentage of .466, while Carlisle is hitting .386 and has an on base percentage of .445. Both teams have slugging percentages over .550.

The difference between these two teams is their pitchers.

Ashley Rausch will be in the circle for the Demons, she has a 1.74 ERA and opponents are hitting .184 off of her. The probably starter for Carlisle will be Kenzie Flaws who has a 1.09 ERA and has opponents hitting .183. She also has 96 more strikeouts than Rausch at 202 for the year.

Head coach Angie Shrader says her team knows about the good pitching, but that otherwise the teams match up very well on paper. The difference, is the State experience.

“They’re a team that I think we can probably surprise some people [by beating them]. The biggest difference is if our kids can go in and can adjust to the atmosphere at being at State,” Shrader said. “Obviously Carlisle has been their the last five years in a row, so their kids, for the most part, are going to used to it and have been there so won’t be as nervous. Where I think that could be the biggest difference in the ballgame for us is how well our kids handle the nerves.”

Pregame for Washington’s first round game at State will begin around 3:15 with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 P.M. You can hear all of the action from the State tournament live from Ft. Dodge on AM and FM KCII and KCIIradio.com under radio plus.