Free bags led to free runs for the Burlington Grayhounds on Monday, as Washington fell in both games of an early week doubleheader, 19-2 and 16-3.

Washington’s struggles began right away, in the first inning of the first game, with Demon starting pitcher Ty Wright failing to make it out of the first after giving up five walks and one hit batter. Relievers Danny Chenoweth, Junior Valdez, and Grady Uitermarkt were unable to steady the ship, with more walks and quite a few balks allowing the Grayhounds to waltz around the basepaths. Burlington scored six in the first, five more in the second, and eight runs in the third, all the while only needing to pick up seven hits to do their damage. Washington’s two runs came on a monster shot to left field by Wright, but by then, it was too late, as the Demons fell 19-2.

Wright took the loss, going 0.1 inning, giving up four earned runs on one hit and five walks. Adrian Perez-Hall took the win for the Grayhounds.

In game two, Washington starting pitcher Ethan Peebler was able to find the strike zone more often than his predecessors, but Burlington proved they could still generate runs with their bat, putting nine on the board by the end of the first. The Demons showed signs of improvement, holding Burlington to a single run in the second, but more issues allowed the Grayhounds another five runs in the third and one more in the fourth. Meanwhile, at the plate, Washington scored its first run on a lead-off, solo home run by Isaac Medrano, an RBI hit for Mitchell Zieglowsky in the third, and a wild pitch in the fourth. However, much like the first game, three runs weren’t nearly enough, as the game ended in the fifth with Washington trailing 16-3.

Peebler took the loss, going 1 inning, allowing nine runs, striking out two and walking six, while Burlington’s Cohen Schroeder earned the win, pitching four innings and striking out three.

Washington head coach TJ Rausch says the team’s inexperience has led to problems, but more game time should help straighten things out, “For two-thirds of the lineup, this is their first time starting everyday, varsity caliber baseball, you know. So there’s going to be some learning pains, some growing pains.”

The Demons drop to 0-5 on the season. They’ll return to SEC competition Thursday, with a single game on the road against Mount Pleasant.