Washington Demon softball earned a split in a doubleheader with Knoxville last night. The first game was a terrific pitcher’s duel, but Knoxville’s two runs in the second inning and one more in the third would be enough to win 3-0. Washington sophomore pitcher Bella Salazar put up an impressive effort, throwing a complete game and giving up only five hits while recording five strikeouts. But Panther senior Ashlyn Finarty was too much for the Demons, yielding only two hits and striking out four in a complete-game shutout.

Washington would bounce back immediately in game two with a 4-2 victory, including scoring twice in the opening frame. After Lauren Hinrichsen’s single drove in fellow sophomore Kendall Hinirchsen in the second to increase the Demons’ lead, Knoxville sliced the deficit to one with a two-run single in the top of the third by Finarty. But sophomore Ella Greiner had the answer for Washington in the bottom half of the inning by launching her first career home run.

That would be all the cushion Demon sophomore Halle Cuddeback needed in the circle. The lefty pitched her first complete game and allowed no runs in all but one inning while striking out four. Washington head coach Ben Obermann told KCII Sports afterwards that his team’s play showcased how much they have grown.

“We talked about that a little in our postgame circle,” Obermann said. “Last year we played [Knoxville] a tough first game, [losing] 4-2, and then Halle pitched game two and they hit her around a little bit. She comes back this year, shuts them down. I think that just shows the character of our team.”

Washington is now 6-2, their best record to start a season since 2012. The Demons will look to add a sweep of conference rival Mount Pleasant to their accomplishments when they travel to complete the three-game series with the Panthers later tonight.