The Washington Demons knocked off a state-ranked opponent last night with a 12-2 home victory over Central Lee. After the Hawks scored a run in the top of the first, Washington got their first lead right away in the bottom half on a two-run double by junior Bella Salazar.

Central Lee tied the game at 2 in the third, but the Demons had their answer in the bottom of the fourth with seven runs on five hits. Washington would put up three more runs in the fifth to end the game early, as Salazar hit another two-run double and freshman Colbie Greiner drew a bases-loaded walk to invoke the run rule.

Salazar ended up with three total hits and six runs batted in for Washington, while Greiner drove in a pair. Sophomore Leighton Salazar had two hits and scored three runs, while junior Kendall Hinrichsen also had a pair of knocks and crossed home plate twice. Junior Ella Greiner added three runs scored despite not having a hit, while junior Alyvia Anderson had an RBI double.

Against one of the highest-scoring teams in the state, Halle Cuddeback came up aces in the circle for the Demons. The junior allowed just four hits and worked around three walks allowed. After the win, Washington head coach Ben Obermann told KCII Sports that those sort of games show just how much their pitching has progressed.

“Halle pitched an outstanding game,” Obermann said. “We have a lot of confidence in all three of our pitchers. They’ve thrown a lot of varsity innings for us over the years. Halle did a great job. [It] starts with strike one. She did a great job mixing [and] had multiple pitches moving and was able to throw them for strikes.”

With the win, the Demons, ranked seventh in the state in Class 3A, not only topple number-fifteen Central Lee, but they also raise their record to 20-4. It’s back-to-back seasons for Washington with 20 wins and only the fifth since 2013.

The Demons now look to continue their undefeated season in conference play when they resume a postponed game at rival Fairfield this evening.