Photo Courtesy of Washington High School Activities
A Southeast Conference Championship and a trip to the State Tournament in Fort Dodge highlighted a big season for the Washington girls of summer. The Demons landed in the top 10 of Class 3A in 27 different categories.
As a team, Washington led the state drawing 148 walks. Their 303 runs scored and 263 batted in were both third best. Demon bats pounded out 374 total hits, fourth most. Washington’s team OBP was .441 fifth highest and their team average of .361 was sixth best. As a staff, Demon pitchers struck out 238 opposing batters, fifth most and gave up a .217 average to opposing hitters, ninth lowest.
Individually, Leighton Salazar was top 10 in five stats. She led the state with 72 total hits. Her 59 runs scored were second most. Salazar’s 54 steals were third, her .522 average sixth and 16 walks ninth..
Ella Greiner was also top 10 in five stats. She was one of just 13 players in the state who made no defensive errors this year. Greiner was fourth with 22 walks, seventh with 46 driven in, eighth with 46 runs scored and ninth with 56 total hits.
Colbie Greiner was top 10 in three categories. Her .151 average allowed in the circle was third lowest in the state. Greiner finished 10th each with five homers and 15 walks.
Halle Cuddeback made top ten in two pitching categories, finishing sixth with 22 earned runs allowed and eighth, issuing 18 walks.
Isabella Salazar made top 10 in two stats, including becoming one of just 13 players in the state who made no defensive errors this season and walked 16 times, ninth most.
Makenzie Messer and Alyvia Anderson each reached in one stat, Messer walked 21 times fifth most and Anderson’s 228 put outs were sixth.
Eight Demons were named All-Southeast Conference including First-Teamers Leighton Salazar, Ella Greiner, Colbie Greiner, Alyvia Anderson, and Isabella Salazar. Halle Cuddeback was Second-Team. Makenzie Messer and Natalie Hartman were named honorable mention. Cuddeback, Anderson, Ella Greiner and Bella and Leighton Salazar were Academic All-Conference. Leighton Salazar was Conference Player of the Year. Ella Greiner and Leighton Salazar were both Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-Southeast District choices and Class 3A First-Team All-State selections.
Washington won their first outright Southeast Conference title since 2013, made their first trip to state in 12 years and finished with a 29-11 overall record.