The Elmore County softball team fell victim to a slow start in the first game of the AHSAA Class 5A Regional tournament on Monday.
The Panthers opened with the Shelby County Wildcats, where they fell 6-3. It was Shelby County who struck first with two runs in the third inning, which gave them a lead to hold onto for the rest of the day. Elmore County picked up runs from Lalha Culpepper, Addie Patterson and Kayden Edwards in the top of the fourth inning, but that’s about all the offensive output Elmore County could get.
“The first game, we kind of had a slow start,” Elmore County coach Meghan Harris said. “We didn't come out swinging the bats, and we kind of played it kind of slow, and couldn't get in the rhythm that first game, and kind of got defeated ourselves.”
Elmore County found its rhythm in the next game, but still fell victim to a slow start. Demopolis jumped out to a three-run lead over the Panthers until the bottom of the third inning. They came away with a 14-4 victory, scoring seven runs in the third frame and then piling another four in the fourth.
“I think the girls kind of had a fire in them and came out, started hitting the ball,” Harris said. “They let the ball travel in some more, and started seeing it hit the bat, they just decided to start hitting. So I think when our bats are going like that, we do really well.”
Elmore County keeps its season alive with a win over Demopolis, with the Panthers opening Day 2 with Holtville. Harris keyed on keeping their bats hot, but wants to make sure their defense and pitching are still coming to play like they did in Day 1 of regionals. However, she knows that all come from being mentally tough.
“I think it's more mentality and being mentally tough,” Harris said. “Because, I mean, most of this game is mental, and if they get in their heads and don't come out strong with that strong mentality, then we play down. And we got to start the game off tomorrow, bats hot, ready to go.”