The Washington Demons took the win over Keokuk in their fifth showdown to move on to the regional final against North Scott on Tuesday.

Washington won a tough fought game 4-3 in a quick seven innings.

The first inning saw Keokuk get a runner on, but could do nothing and it was scoreless into the second. Washington broke the tie with a run off a single by Ashley Rausch, and an RBI single by Redlinger gave the Demons their first lead of the game 1-0, but Keokuk answered with a unearned run, and for the first time in the game Washington found themselves in trouble with two outs, and Keokuk tied it 1-1.

The Game stayed 1-1 until the fifth, when once again the Demons took the lead, off an single from Chase Jaspering and a RBI triple from Sammy Ellingson made it 2-1, but as if it was the second inning all over again the Demons got two outs quickly, and an error off a bobbled ball put one on with two outs, then a couple of walks loaded the bases for Kirby Sanders to hit a two RBI single to make the score 3-2 Chiefs.

The Demons refused to give up in the sixth though, getting a lead off walk, and Stephanie Fishback reaching first on an attempted sacrifice bunt that turned into an error to put two on, and then an error on a fielders choice by Joni Erwin scored one and put Erwin on for the Demons. Kolbi Breard stepped up and hit an RBI single, and then an intentional walk to Bohr loaded the bases, but the Demons couldn’t get anymore on the board and they led 4-3 going into the bottom of the sixth.

Rausch came out in the sixth and got Haley Oshea to pop up to left, but then she walked the next two, to put two on with one out. Rausch would give up the circle graciously to Amber Linnenkamp. Linnenkamp walked the first batter to load the bases, but came back and made Makenzie Pezley ground it up the middle for a 1-2 fielders choice, and a pop up to Bohr at second got the Demons out of the jam with the 4-3 lead. Washington threatened in the seventh with the bases loaded again, but could not get the extra insurance run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Linnenkamp faced Kirby Sanders who had two RBI’s already on the night, and took a 0-1 count deep into left field, where it was caught by Fishback. Linnenkamp then struck out Baily Roth and got Oshea to ground out, and the Demons were the victors.

Demon head coach Angie Shrader said before her post game interview that she would have failed an EKG in the last inning, but said it was a great battle that was extra special for the senior sendoff.

“It was pretty goo Demon softball, we had a couple of errors, but it was a situation that we didn’t ever give up, and everyone stepped up when it came time to do something, everyone came up with their job, whatever it was, Sam [Ellingson] came up with a huge hit, Amber [Linnenkamp] comes in and closes the door on them, and we played good defense at the end of the game, and there is nothing better than winning the last game at home, especially for the seniors, because they know it was the last game they played on this diamond was a victory, and there is nothing better than getting that fifth victory over Keokuk when it matters the most,” Shrader said.

Rausch went 5 1/3 innings, and gave up three hits, three runs, just one earned walked six and struck out two, while Linnenkamp went 1 2/3 walked one, stuck out one and gave up no hits or runs. Rausch also was 2-3 with two runs scored by her courtesy runners.

Washington plays North Scott for a chance to go to state on Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Xavier, North Scott beat Xavier 8-4.