Demopolis drops Clarke with six-run sixth

Demopolis took its time finding its swing Thursday night before using a five-run sixth to fuel a 7-1 victory over Clarke County. After CCHS took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, Demopolis tied it in the fifth when Courtney Smith tripled and scored on an error.

Kendall Hannah reached on an error to open the sixth before Bria Brown singled. Kayla Montz opened the flood gates for Demopois with a single to plate Hannah for the 2-1 lead.

“We were slow on adjusting at the plate and it definitely carried over from yesterday to today. We were slow making adjustments yesterday at the plate and it showed this game as well,” Demopolis coach Brittany Dunson said of her squad, which had one hit Wednesday in a 10-0 shutout loss to Hale County. “It took until the bottom of the sixth inning to actually do something. When they got going, they did well.”

Napoleon Roberson kept the momentum moving with a single to plate Brown for the 3-1 advantage. Taylor Smith then drove in Montz with a fly ball to center for the 4-1 advantage. Elly Brown later singled home Roberson to make it 5-1. Abbey Latham followed with a two-run homer for the final margin.

Natalie Tatum struck out nine batters over seven innings of work while scattering five hits for the win.

Demopolis (25-7) hosts Greensboro Friday, West Blocton Monday and Central-Tuscaloosa Thursday before returning to tournament play in preparation for a postseason run.

“I just want a strong finish. We have a couple of big tournaments coming up, so we’ll see some different, bigger schools. I think it’s great competition that we’re going to see.”