Everything looked to be in place for the Washington Demons baseball team (5-13 overall) to earn their second non conference victory of the season Wednesday evening. As heard on AM/FM KCII and KCIIRadio.com, the Demons made the trip to Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids for a tilt with county school the Highland Huskies (12-7 overall). Two late inning errors committed by Washington helped Highland overcome a one-run deficit, assisting the Huskies to a 3-1 victory over the Demons in eight innings.

Washington was one out away from a 1-0 victory and nobody on when Highland sophomore Bill Burton reached base on a fielding error in the bottom of the seventh. Another throwing error committed during the next at bat allowed Burton to come around the bases to score the tying run. After a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Washington, Highland sent eight players to the plate in the eighth, tacking on two more runs for a 3-1 lead. Washington went down one-two-three in the bottom of the inning, securing a 3-1 victory for the Huskies. It was the first victory for Highland over Washington on the diamond since the series has been played in Cedar Rapids.

Washington sophomore Colin Zear scattered five hits over five innings pitched last night, striking out five batters without allowing a walk to take a no-decision. Senior Blake Weidman takes the loss for Washington, allowing three runs, two earned on two hits with one strikeout and no walks in three innings in relief. Washington’s only hits were recorded by junior Tanner Renox, a double in the second inning and a single in the fourth inning.

Both teams left extra run chances on the base paths. Highland left 11 batters on base, while Washington stranded nine runners.

The loss drops Washington to 5-13 overall, and pushes their non-conference record to 1-5 this season. The Demons return to the field tonight, traveling to Mount Pleasant for a Southeast Conference doubleheader against the Panthers (13-11 overall).

Highland improves to 12-7 overall, and returns to the field on tonight versus the Pekin Panthers. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Highland High School.