Washington won its third straight and seventh in its first 10 games Wednesday by thoroughly handling Northside, 11-1, in five innings. The offense was able to exploit any mistake made by the Panthers while the defense largely kept them at bay.

The win completed the season sweep, with Washington also earning a victory at Northside on March 9. Placing the two games side by side allows one to see the improvements in Washington’s game.

“We’re starting to capitalize on our runners in scoring position,” Washington coach Kevin Leggett said. “We’re still leaving some on, but the guys are buying into the team and doing the things it takes to get the runners over.

“We’re being selective at the plate. We’re doing well with walks. We’re taking what we can, which is helping out a lot. Guys are putting it in play. They’re working hard in the cages everyday.”

The Pam Pack left the bases loaded in the first. After quickly chasing Northside starting pitcher Parker Boyd, Chase Sauls came in and promptly had Cooper Anderson fly out to left centerfield.

Sauls found himself in danger in the second. Tyler Harrell singled to left field and quickly stole second base. Matt Black followed by drawing a walk. Harrell scored on a base hit by Frederick Holscher and Black came home on a passed ball.

After falling behind 0-2 in the count, Neill Jennings managed to draw a walk from Sauls, which marked the end of his evening on the mound. Senior lefty Zach Woolard took over pitching duties with the bases loaded. Washington never let off, scoring five more runs thanks to two passed balls, an error at third and a two-RBI single from Nick Everette.

“Usually, when we start off the inning with a walk or anything like that, we’re going to get them in somehow,” Leggett said. “That’s always good to do to a team because it puts pressure on them knowing they can’t make a mistake here or there.”

It seemed that the Panthers’ defense wasn’t the only phase of the game that felt that pressure. Washington was as successful on defense as it was offense. Tripp Barfield tossed five frames in which he gave up a hit, a run and fanned eight. He and the Pam Pack retired Northside in order in the first and fourth frames. They also faced just four batters in the second and third innings.

“He threw great tonight,” Leggett said. “He got his breaking ball over, which was a big deal. He had been struggling a little bit with the breaking ball. (Wednesday night) he threw it well, which was keeping hitters off balance. One hit kind of says it.”

Washington has pitching depth, but using just one arm and getting out of the game early will pay dividends at this weekend’s tournament.

Continuing to improve is the main objective at this point in the season. While Northside is already in the thick of its conference schedule, Washington doesn’t open conference play until April 5 at Southwest Edgecombe. The boys continued to build momentum against the Panthers and hope to keep the ball rolling this weekend at the Northside Easter Tournament.

“The guys are ready for conference play. We’re ready to make some waves in the conference this year,” Leggett said.