Demopolis rallies for 4-1 win over Thomasville

Touted for its long ball prowess through 20 games, Demopolis turned to small ball to ignite the offense Tuesday in a 4-1 victory over Thomasville.

Napoleon Roberson dropped down a push bunt with one out in the bottom of the fifth to ignite the game’s pivotal sequence. Taylor Smith followed with a bunt single of her own to push Roberson to scoring position. Two batters later, Elly Brown roped a single to left to plate Roberson and Smith, putting Demopolis on top 2-1.

“The girls were really happy. They begged me. They said, ‘Coach, can we bunt?’ I said, ‘Read your corners, read your defense. If you want to bunt, make it sneaky. You better get it done.’ And they did a really good job of getting it done today,” Demopolis coach Brittany Dunson said of the catalysts for her team’s offense.

Abbey Latham followed by parking a 3-0 pitch beyond the center field fence for the 4-1 Demopolis lead.

“They hung with them. I feel like it’s a game that we should have jumped out quick and we waited and we got behind,” Dunson said. “I talked to the girls. I said, ‘If this was one of those timed games, y’all would’ve been out of it. Y’all would’ve taken an L in this game.’ They understood that. It was hard for them to realize that. But since it was seven innings, they came back late.”

Dunson’s crew fell behind in the top of the fourth when Thomasville loaded the bases with nobody out. Natalie Tatum limited the damage to one run with a sacrifice fly and proceeded to strikeout the final two batters of the frame to hold the deficit at 1-0.

“She did a great job. She did a phenomenal job. She wasn’t feeling her best today, but she came out and performed for the team,” Dunson said of Tatum.

Tatum was effective throughout the complete game win, striking out 11 over seven innings of work while holding Thomasville to five hits and stranding seven runners.

Courtney Smith and Tatum each finished 1-for-3. Brown and Latham were each 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Kendall Hannah was 1-for-3 with a triple. Roberson went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Taylor Smith was 2-for-2 with a run scored.

Demopolis (18-3) travels to face American Christian Academy Thursday before heading to Gulf Shores for a tournament next week.

“I’m happy with where the team is,” Dunson said. “We’re going to head into spring break and play some really good teams down there. I think we’re lined up to play Fort Payne, Dothan, Cullman and Hartselle.”