Demopolis JV overcomes shaky first inning to beat Sweet Water 8-7

Demopolis Junior Varsity softball picked up its third consecutive victory Friday night, squeaking out an 8-7 win over Sweet Water.

The visiting Tigers stuck first, jumping out to a 1-0 lead when Emily Schroeder lined a shot to left field that drove in Samiya Lucas who singled from the leadoff spot.

Sweet Water battled back in their half on the first, taking a 5-1 lead.

Lizzie Cannon led off Demopolis’ charge in the second with a single. She caught the defense napping on the throwback to the pitcher and swiped second.

Tayler Pipkins drew a walk and Dani Shepherd pushed both Cannon and Pipkins up a base by taking an inside pitch off the elbow.

Zanadia Wright followed that with a bases-loaded walk that forced Cannon home.

Marianna Pearson knocked in Shepherd and Wright with a drive to center and pushed Lucas, who reached on a fielder’s choice, to third.

Aerial Irby singled with a fly ball to right field, driving in Lucas and Pearson. She then stole second and third on consecutive pitches. That act of base-path-thievery would prove important as the junior Tigers closed their second inning, 6-run rally with a Schroeder single that scored Irby.

Sweet Water bounced back to tie the game 7-all in the bottom of the second.

The game would remain tied through the third.

Irby started the Demopolis offense in the fourth with a double to right. She stole third and a bad throw brought her home for what would be the game’s winning run.

Pipkins got the start in the circle for the Tigers.

Cannon got the win, spreading four hits and six strikeouts over three innings.