In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Dallas County Hornets loaded the bases and started to chip away at a six-run Demopolis Tigers lead. Dallas County couldn’t reduce the deficit completely, and the Hornets trailed by 13 runs midway through the sixth inning.

A late collapse doomed the Hornets (17-3) at home against the Tigers in a 16-4 loss. Dallas County head coach Willie Moore said there were plenty of factors that led to the blowout loss.

“We didn’t hit the ball well,” Moore said. “We had one inning where we had seven errors that led to five runs that broke the game open. Just routine stuff.”

With Tori Hatfield pitching for the Hornets, Demopolis opened up a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Hatfield held the Tigers scoreless in the second inning, but Dallas County wasn’t able to score either, leaving the score at 2-0.

In the top of the third inning, Demopolis’ Taylor Smith hit a single to center field to score two runners. A pair of errant throws from Dallas County shortstop Keyondra Fletcher allowed Bria Brown and Smith to cross home plate. After a four-run third inning, Demopolis led 6-0.

Hatfield finished the top of the fourth inning quickly, but not without giving up a home run to Abbey Latham. Dallas County’s Yasmeen Green answered in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting the Hornets on the board with a home run of her own.

“She’s our best hitter,” Moore said of Green. “She had a real good eye for the ball today.”

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Brittney Brown singled to shallow right field to load the bases. Two illegal pitches from Demopolis relief pitcher Natalie Tatum brought two Dallas County runners home. When Lindsey McIlwain touched home plate, the Hornets had dropped the deficit to 7-3.

In the top of the sixth inning, Dallas County fell apart, committing seven errors and allowing nine runs. Morgan Krumnow drove Green home in the bottom of the sixth inning, but it was far from enough.

Moore said the difference in the game was that Dallas County wanted to win, but Demopolis expected to win. He is hoping that mentality shifts when the Hornets meet up with the Tigers in Demopolis for the area tournament.

Dallas County plays Ellwood Christian Thursday at 4 p.m.

“We’re going to do our best to readjust and refocus and see if we can give a better effort tomorrow,” Moore said.