The postseason run for the Washington Demon softball team (12-25 overall) continues tonight against a conference rival. Washington is set to make the drive to Mount Pleasant’s MapleLeaf Athletic Complex for a Class 4A Region 5 semifinal battle versus the No. 10 Panthers (27-9 overall). The two Southeast Conference rivals have played four other times this season with Mount Pleasant sweeping the regular season series, outscoring Washington 30-13.

The Demons extended their season by beating the Maquoketa Cardinals (13-24 overall), 8-6 on Thursday. Washington stole nine bases in the contest, resulting in eight runs. Eighth grader Kinsey Duwa opened up her first postseason action by going three-for-four at the plate, recording a double, two runs batted in, three runs scored, and three stolen bases. Freshman Molly Sparks earned the victory in the circle, allowing six runs, four unearned, on eight hits, walking two and striking out six.

The Southeast Conference champion Panthers swept the Demons in a doubleheader Wednesday in Washington, taking game one, 11-6 and winning game two, 10-0. Senior Bailey Johnson posts the conference’s record in the circle, winning 16 games and suffering two losses. Johnson is also third in the league in innings pitched (120), and fourth in strikeouts (97). Offensively, Johnson leads the Southeast Conference in runs batted in with 64, 18 more than the rest of the league. Freshman Anni Leichty has scored a conference-best 43 runs this season.

KCII Sports will provide live play-by-play coverage from MapleLeaf Athletic Complex, beginning with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com.