Tigers struggle on first day in Wetumpka

WETUMPKA — Demopolis (11-5) dropped a pair of games Friday, losing to Holtville 5-3 and Wetumpka 11-1 during the first day of a spring break tournament.

The Tigers spotted Holtville three runs in the top of the first inning before getting on the board in the home half of the second when Josh Mangum ripped a two-run double to plate Tyler Oates and Stephen Stewart.

Mangum also impacted the Tigers’ chances in the field where he twice halted Holtville rallies by turning fly ball outs into inning-ending double plays.

Holtville added to its lead in the top of the sixth on a controversial two-run double that appeared to be a foul ball. The call of a fair ball by the home plate umpire drew the ire of the Demopolis dugout but proved enough to put Holtville’s lead out of reach for the Tigers.

Oates singled with two outs in the sixth before scoring on a RBI single by Walker Davis to cut the deficit to 5-3. Demopolis threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh before stranding the potential tying runs to end the contest.

Brock Montgomery went 1-for-4 in the game. Devin Stroud finished 2-for-4 with a double. Oates went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Stewart finished 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Davis went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run batted in. Mangum was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

Tiger hurlers totaled 134 pitches in the game, combining to strike out six batters and surrender 10 hits while walking four.

In the nightcap, Demopolis allowed a run to the host Indians in the bottom of the first before fighting back to tie the game in the top of the third.

Mangum drew a one-out walk in the third before Matt Eicher stroked a double down the left field line to knot the score at one. A bunt single by Montgomery left the Tigers with runners on the corners and only one out before a routine double play ball ended the threat.

The double play proved enough to ignite the Indians as they went on to score 10 unanswered runs over the next three innings to end the contest after five frames.

The two-hit third inning accounted for nearly all of the Demopolis’ offense in the game as Wetumpka starter Dalton Shepherd struck out two, walked one and surrendered three hits.

The Tigers’ only other hit came in the form of a Stroud single in the top of the first inning.

Demopolis pitchers scuffled against Wetumpka, issuing seven walks, surrendering six hits and plunking four batters in the effort.

In total for the evening, the Tigers utilized six different hurlers who combined to throw some 250 pitches over 11 and a third innings of work.

The Tigers are scheduled to play again Saturday morning against Elmore County and Jeff Davis High.