Dallas County forfeits in first inning of 5A, Area 7 title game

Dallas County had apparently had enough Tuesday. The Hornets forfeited with one out in the bottom of the first inning and Demopolis leading 4-0 in the title round of the Class 5A, Area 7 tournament.

“I’ve never been a part of a game or ever seen anything like that actually happen. It’s frustrating as a coach and as the players. They were frustrated because they wanted to play a game. They didn’t get the opportunity,” Demopolis coach Brittany Dunson said. “Some kids didn’t even get the opportunity to bat that game. We got through like six or seven people in our lineup and they called it quits.”

Kayla Montz set down all three Hornet batters she faced in the top of the first inning on only 10 pitches, striking out two in the process. Courtney Smith drew a four-pitch walk in the top of the first before Elly Brown dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Abbey Latham followed with a single to drive in Smith for the 1-0 lead. Kendall Hannah was hit by a pitch for the third time in the tournament before Montz drew a walk. Latham scored on a passed ball to move it to 2-0 before Bria Brown singled to left to drive in Hannah and Montz for the 4-0 lead. As Lane Braeden Burbage stepped into the batter’s box, Dallas County conceded.

Demopolis downed Dallas County 15-0 in three innings in their first meeting of the day, a contest that was sandwiched in between a pair of abbreviated, run-rule Hornet wins over Central-Tuscaloosa.

“They hit the ball pretty solid. I would like to see them put a few more hits together and put runs together a little quicker. Going into regionals I think we’re going to be ready to go,” Dunson said of her squad, which begins play at the South Central Regional in Troy Thursday, May 11 at 3 p.m.

“That Northside tournament and that Hueytown tournament prepared us tremendously I think,” Dunson said of a draw that figures to include Moody, Shelby County and Jemison among others.

The concession by Dallas County abruptly ended the teams’ fourth meeting of the season. Demopolis (34-11) had outscored the Hornets 55-0 prior to the forfeit.