The Washington High School softball team is cruising toward a third consecutive section title.

The WPIAL Class AA No. 2 ranked Prexies (who were 13-1, 9-0 in Section 2-AA through Wednesday) are dominating the competition, outscoring opponents, 123-18. Their only loss was outside of the WPIAL against Hillsdale, Ohio, 5-0, on April 14.

With six section games remaining on the schedule as of last Thursday, Wash High enjoyed a four-game edge in the loss column over second-place Burgettstown and South Fayette. This means the Prexies can basically coast through the rest of their regular-season schedule without having to play their best softball.

Coach Bill Loar wants to make sure, however, that his team does not become complacent. Despite five wins by 14 runs or more this season, Loar sees room for improvement as the team prepares for another playoff run.

"We're on a roll right now, but we're taking things into perspective, trying to get better toward the end of the season," Loar said. "Last year, we peaked too early and when we got to the playoffs, I thought we were a little bit lethargic."

Washington lost to Neshannock in the playoffs, 3-0. Wash High lost four of its last nine games last season. Loar wants this team to improve each game all the way through the playoffs.

"That's something we are concentrating on," Loar said. "We're coming down to the last two weeks of the season and we want to get better."

Washington has eight starters back from last year's team that reached the quarterfinals. Seven in the lineup played when the Prexies reached the WPIAL finals two years ago before losing to Waynesburg.

"I feel this is the best team I've had, ever, because position-for-position there is a lot of experience with a lot of quality players at each position," Loar said. "We also have depth this year with a couple substitutes who are good players. We're strong defensively and I feel all nine hitters are very capable at the plate."

Washington is led by senior pitcher Amanda Baughman who has hurled six shutouts while compiling a 10-1 record through Wednesday.

Phillips is a four-year starter and two-time all-section honoree. Other players who earned all-section honors last year include junior second baseman Jenna Phillips, junior shortstop Jordan Jackson and senior center fielder Amber Pivik, who plans to play at Waynesburg College with Baughman next year.

Phillips, hitting .500, leads the team in runs batted in with 22 in the first 14 games. Jackson has six home runs while batting .567. Pivik, the leadoff hitter, is batting .360. Baughman bats cleanup with four home runs while hitting .340.

The aforementioned players all became starters in their respective freshmen years. That is also the case for junior third baseman Larissa Bistarkey who has the highest batting average on the team at .709 (22 for 31).

Other starters are senior first baseman Ashton Molinaro, another four-year starter, junior catcher Alexis Lopez, a three-year starter, junior right fielder Hannah Cohen and freshman left fielder Meghan Warner.

"We're keeping things fresh for them and we are doing some different things with them outside of softball so they stay together as a group," Loar said.

"We're keeping that unity together ... There are 14 players and they've all contributed at one point or another."