Demopolis (4-13) clinched no worse than a second place finish in region Tuesday with a 16-1 win over Selma.

“It’s a big win being an area contest,” Demopolis head coach Joey Browder said of the win.

The win came on the heels of what the DHS head coach considers one of the worst practices of the season.

“We had an awful practice (Monday),” Browder said. “I had to adjust some attitudes. Hopefully we got their attention.”

Demopolis broke the scoreless tie in the second, posting two runs in the frame.

“I thought they did an excellent job getting themselves ready to play today despite the circumstances,” he said.

Demopolis pulled away in the third inning, scoring 12 runs in the frame to come within one of ending the game via the 15-run rule.

Selma responded in the fourth, converting a double into its only run of the game. The Lady Tigers ended the game in the home half of the inning when eighth-grader Alexius Jones hit an RBI grounder for the team’s 16th run.

“Alexis is growing by leaps and bounds,” Browder said of Jones, who also scored a run on the day. “We see her relationship with our pitchers developing. Her confidence level is growing.”

Jones served as the backstop Tuesday as pitcher Madison Laduron allowed one hit and one run while striking out 10 hitters in four innings.

“Madison is consistently getting better each game and every week,” Browder said of Laduron, who struck out the first nine Saints she faced. “I feel confident every time she steps in the circle.”

Laduron also helped her own cause by scoring a run on the day. Keona Branch and Ashley Polk each went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Victoria Morgan walked twice and scored a run.

Melanie McCrory went 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs scored. Carly Latham went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and three runs. Taylor Hunnicutt walked three times with three runs scored while Caroline Gross walked four times and scored two runs.

“I think they did a good job stepping in and doing their jobs,” Browder said of players like Branch, Hunnicutt and Gross, who saw an increase in playing time Tuesday. “A couple of those who hadn’t been playing a lot stepped in and hit the ball well. That is going to help them down the road. Our positions are open from week to week and our girls have to understand that.”

Demopolis returns to action Tuesday, March 31 when it travels to Thomasville before visiting Chilton County Thursday and Hale County Friday.

“We’ve still got a lot to correct,” Browder said. “Thankfully we’ve got the rest of the week and the weekend for practice. We can ready for a battle when we go down to Thomasville Tuesday.”