Demopolis softball sees season end in walk-off fashion

TROY, Ala. – Demopolis saw its season come to a screeching halt in the South Central Regional Friday with a 4-2 loss to Marbury.

The Tigers battled out of a 2-1 hole in the top of the seventh inning as Kayla Montz drew a leadoff walk, advanced on Bria Brown’s sacrifice bunt and scored when Napoleon Roberson stroked a double over the head of the left fielder to tie the game.

The moment gave the Tigers renewed vigor in their quest to make the state tournament. Marbury’s Bailey Dixon opened the bottom half of the inning with a single to right center that narrowly dropped in front of a diving Taylor Smith. Freshman Kaileigh Harrison followed with a homer to left that ended the game.

Demopolis opened the scoring in the top of the third when Abbey Latham singled in Courtney Smith who had reached on an infield single. Marbury broke up Natalie Tatum’s perfect game bid in the fifth when Loren Ross legged out an infield single. Two batters later, Harrison repeated the feat. Jessie Easterling then hit a single just beyond the glove of a diving Elly Brown at second base for the 2-1 lead.

The loss marked the second time on the day Demopolis found itself within striking distance of making it to the state tournament only to stand in a postgame ceremony and watch its opponents receive coronation.

Demopolis opened its day in the 10:30 a.m. time slot against Moody in a winners bracket final. The Tigers were largely listless in the contest as the Blue Devils hit three homers in a 6-1 victory. The lone bright spot for Demopolis came on a Kendall Hannah solo shot to left in the fourth that narrowed the deficit to 3-1.

Demopolis caps its season at 36-13.