Lady Tigers beat Washington County in opener

CHATOM — Demopolis (1-0) opened its season on a high note Tuesday with a 10-2 win over Washington County (0-2).

The Lady Tigers led 10-1 heading into the fifth inning and surrendered just one unearned run the rest of the way.

“We were pleased. The coaches were definitely pleased without our outing,” Demopolis coach Joey Browder said. “We definitely see some things that we could build on going into this weekend.”

Demopolis made the most of its opportunities Tuesday despite having a largely new team and having logged very little practice time.

“We, just like everybody else in Alabama, have had very limited defensive work and practice,” Browder said.

Despite the relative inexperience, Demopolis put the bat on the ball Tuesday and watched its pitchers work out of a handful of jams.

“They loaded the bases a couple times on us and we pitched out of it and I was real pleased with that,” Browder said.

In her varsity debut, freshman Courtney Smith went 4-for-5 with three runs scored.

Zarquashia Taylor and Abbey Latham each went 2-for-5 in the game with a run and a RBI. Baleigh Grace went 2-for-3 with a run and a RBI. Anna Caroline Logan was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Riley King went 1-for-3 with a run scored and RBI. Jessica Adams finished 1-for-4 with a run scored. Jade Montgomery finished 1-for-4 with a RBI. Cameron Thomason knocked in a run while Holli Gandy scored once.

Sophomore Hanna Malone (1-0) worked three innings in the circle, struck out three, walked two, surrendered two hits and allowed one run.

Eighth-grader Kendall Hannah struck out four over three innings of work while walking two and allowing two hits.

Eighth-grader Natalie Tatum pitched one inning, striking out one and walking three while giving up an unearned run.

The Lady Tigers will use the game as a jumping off point as they head right into treacherous waters against a number of strong programs at a weekend tournament in Tuscaloosa.

“This is one of the top tournaments in the state. In pool play, we’re going to face off against Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia and Curry I believe,” Browder said. “We’re going to jump into the fire. There is no doub.t And then we have a tough week next week with Brookwood and Bibb.”

Demopolis is scheduled to return to action at 3 p.m. Friday against Tuscaloosa County.