The Washington Demons will play in the state softball tournament this coming week, thanks in part to a team that is near the top of Class 3A in a number of statistics.

That includes the Washington offense, which has scored the third-most runs in the state and is fourth in total hits. The Demons have the third-highest on-base percentage and sixth-best batting average in Class 3A.

Washington is top 10 in slugging percentage as well, but where they’ve excelled most is drawing walks, more than any other team in the state, and hitting doubles, the second-most in 3A.

Junior shortstop Leighton Salazar is the leading reason for the Demons’ success at the plate, both figuratively and literally. The Washington lead-off hitter in every game this season, Salazar leads all of Class 3A in total hits, has scored the second-most runs and has recorded the third-most stolen bases.

Salazar is also tied for third in the state in doubles and has a top-10 batting average and on-base percentage, in part because she’s tied for the ninth-fewest strikeouts by a 3A hitter. Only one other batter in the state has struck out as few times as Demon senior catcher Alyvia Anderson’s one punchout.

Senior Ella Greiner is also among the state’s leaders, tied for the sixth-most walks and runs batted in and tied for the ninth-most runs scored. Meanwhile, sophomore teammate Colbie Greiner joins her in the top 15 in 3A in RBI and total hits, and freshman Makenzie Messer is top 10 in the state for walks as well.

Washington has also been a solid pitching team, sitting in the top 20 in the state in earned-run average and total runs allowed while giving up the eighth-lowest batting average to opponents and racking up the fifth-most strikeouts in 3A.

Bella Salazar is tied for 11th in the state in pitching victories for the Demons, while fellow senior Halle Cuddeback is in the top 20 among qualified 3A pitchers in hits, runs and walks allowed.

Washington will face defending state champion Williamsburg in the Class 3A quarterfinals Tuesday morning, and you can hear all the action on KCII starting with pregame coverage at 9:30.