Fifth inning fells Lady Tigers
A miserable fifth inning spelled doom for Demopolis (7-23) Thursday as Jackson rallied to a 5-3 win.
The Lady Tigers held the visiting Aggies scoreless for six of the seven innings but could not overcome the five spot Jackson hung in the fifth.
“We had errors spread out throughout the game. We’re allowing too many runs on those errors. We’re just working on getting better,” Demopolis coach Joey Browder said.
Lara Higginbotham reached on a bunt single and later scored on an RBI grounder by Courtney McDonald to put Jackson up 1-0. Shelbey Jackson reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a Kayla Chapman RBI single. Brooke Powell reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a Megan Childs RBI grounder. Chelsey Merida then ripped a single to plate McDonald and Chapman and stake the Lady Aggies to a 5-0 lead.
Prior to the disastrous fifth, Hannah Malone had held Jackson to two hits while working around a shaky defensive effort that featured seven errors in the contest.
“She was getting it done tonight. There is no doubt about it,” Browder said.
Demopolis, which tallied 11 hits in the game, finally broke through in the home half of the fifth. Abbey Latham reached on an infield single and stole second before scoring on an Anna Caroline Logan RBI single. Logan later scored on a Julia Veres RBI single to cut the Demopolis deficit to 5-2.
“We’ve been steadily working on it and steadily getting better. We’ve been working on taking a tougher mental approach to hitting and being more aggressive,” Browder said. “We’re steadily rising. Our team batting average has come up. We’re working on it.”
Demopolis added another run in the sixth when Jessica Adams singled to start a promising rally before scoring on a Zarquashia Taylor RBI single. The Lady Tigers loaded the bases with only one out in the frame but failed to cash in on the opportunity.
Latham finished 3-for-4 in the game. Taylor and Logan were each 1-for-4. Cameron Thomason was 1-for-2. Veres finished 2-for-4. Jade Montgomery was 1-for-3 with a walk. Adams put together a 2-for-4 night while Courtney Smith finished 2-for-3.
Demopolis is scheduled to play again Monday at home against Hale County.
