The first road trip of the season will be a short one for the Washington Demon softball team. The Demons make the trip east on Highway 92 for a non-conference clash with the Columbus Wildcats.

After winning 30 games two seasons ago, Washington took a step back last summer, winning 16 games of the 38 games they played. The Demons are filling five holes left by last year’s graduates.

Senior Kolbi Breard had the most at bats of any returning player, getting 109 plate appearances last year. Freshman Kayla Andrew has the best batting average of any returning player at .273. She is also tied with Redlinger and Rausch for the team lead in home runs with 2.

Columbus won nine games last season, including six of their last 14 games to end the season. Senior Kelsey Pretz returns as the team’s most consistent hitter. Pretz posted a .368 batting average last season. Junior Laura Minks and sophomore Bailey Stroud both drove in a team-high 12 batters last spring.

The Demons shut out the Wildcats 13-0 in last year’s game at Washington High School.

First pitch of tonight’s non-conference varsity clash is set for 7:30 p.m. at Columbus High School.