A well-known opponent awaits the Washington Demon softball team (7-26 overall) in their postseason opener tonight. The Demons begin the Class 4A Region 5 tournament play tonight in Fairfield, battling their Southeast Conference rivals the No. 14 Trojans (24-10 overall).

Washington enters the postseason on a three-game winning streak, averaging six runs per game during the span. A trio of freshman lead the Demons offensively. Morgan Brinning leads the team in at bats (93), hits (40), runs scored (21), doubles (11), triples (2), runs batted in (16), and has hit the only home run for the Demon softball team this season. Brooke Stout is second on the team in hits (22), and runs batted in (14), while Megan Mitchell is third on the team in hits (21) and runs batted in (14).

Fairfield finished second in the Southeast Conference standings behind the Keokuk Chiefs. The Trojans have alternated mainly between two pitcher all season long. Junior Ali Deao has pitched a team-leading 116 innings, posting a 12-7 record with a 2.96 earned run average (ERA). Sophomore Haley Beard has pitched 101.1 innings, earning a 13-2 overall record while allowing a 2.56 ERA so far this season.

Fairfield won all four conference meetings between the schools, outscoring the Demons 20-9. Three of the four games were decided by three runs or less.

First pitch of tonight’s Class 4A Region 5 quaterfinal showdown is set for 7 p.m. at Fairfield Middle School. Live play-by-play coverage begins with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. on AM/FM KCII and KCIIRadio.com.