A hard hitting Knoxville offense gave the Washington softball team fits last night and the Demons dropped a pair of non-conference games. 

On a perfect night for softball, the Panthers (4-2) utilized an early lead in game one and never wavered in a 4-1 victory. Washington had plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position, but couldn’t get the timely hit. The Demons had five hits led by Kellie Dallmeyer with a pair of doubles and Ava Turner went 2-for-4 with the lone run scored. Cara Linnenkamp gave the team a chance in the circle tossing all seven innings giving up four runs on 10 hits and striking out five. 

The nightcap started in Washington’s favor with a 3-0 advantage in the third after Cameron Malichky had a sac fly and Dallmeyer knocked in a pair of tallies on a single. The momentum didn’t last long, as Knoxville rattled off 11 hits and scored 16 unanswered for a 16-3 victory. They put up a four spot in the third, two in the fourth, before breaking it open with a six run sixth. Emma Dunkin had a two run bomb for the Panthers and Ciara Heffron went 3-for-5. Washington had six knocks with Dallmeyer going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Bella Salazar threw her first career game tossing five innings giving up six runs on six hits. 

The Demons fall to 2-4 and start up Southeast Conference play tomorrow hosting Fort Madison.