Tiger hurlers combine to limit ACA to three hits in sweep
Three hits were all the visitors could muster as dominant pitching aided the Tigers to a series sweep over the 5A Area 5 runner-up Alabama Christian Academy in the AHSAA baseball playoffs.
“That’s what I like. That’s just the bottom line. I like that quality start pitching and I like them to go. But a 1-0 game, you don’t see those anymore. I’ve always felt like I could manage 1-0, 2-1 games. I have a hard time managing the 10-8 games. That’s kind of how the game was when I came along. It was low scoring,” Demopolis coach James Moody said. “Unbelievable starting pitching tonight; three hits in 14 innings. What can you say?”
The Tigers won the first game 6-1.
DHS used three runs in the third inning and three runs in the bottom of the sixth to provide the distance in gaining the victory.
“We swung the bats well. We did. We were ready to play and when we’re ready to play, we’ve got a chance. They’re not bad. When we’re focused, we’ve got a chance to do some good things,” Moody said following game one win. “I’m really proud of them. That first one is always a big one.”
During the day Moody, noted how important younger players have been for his squad especially on the bases during that first game.
Sophomores Demetrious Davis and Andrew Patterson both scored runs for DHS in the doubleheader opener and Davis also stole two bases.
“I think our young kids are making a difference for us. At any given time, we’ve got three sophomores out there and we’re pinch running some sophomores. Everybody is contributing,” said Moody.
Jacob Rodrigues led the team at the plate going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. R.J. Cox also finished 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Chandler Barton and Hunter Colyar also finished with an RBI each at the plate.
Colyar (8-6) pitched a complete game giving up just two hits and striking out three batters.
“It was a quality start. He threw the ball up there and let them hit the ball on the ground. I thought he was down most of the day,” Moody said. “He struggled in the middle with his breaking ball but made some adjustments on it and was good enough to recover and find it later and give himself a chance to finish the ball game.”
Offense was hard to come by in game two as the Tigers claimed a 1-0 victory.
Yelverton knocked in the only RBI with a double score Wesley Holeman.
Yelverton (8-4) also got the win on the mound, giving up one hit and amassing nine strikeouts.
“He just got in a rhythm,” Moody said. “He was around the zone. He probably threw 93 percent fastballs tonight. I’d have to check it out, but I think he probably threw about 10 sliders. Just command of the zone.”
Next on the agenda for the Tigers is a rematch from the second round from last year as Marbury comes to DHS on April 29.
Marbury has already provided sufficient motivation for the Tigers.
“I think we will be better prepared because of last year. I just think it is the approach of we’re back where we want to be,” Moody said. “There’s something that has been stuck on our door all year that somebody put on there and we still don’t know who put it on there. And our kids see it every day when they come out. I couldn’t tell you who put it on there. The kids don’t know. I don’t know. But I’m excited that we have another week to play and practice.”