By By BRUCE HIXON
Sports Editor
Their number five through nine spots were a combined four-for-27 on the day. Their number two spot went zero-for-six.
Those numbers got JDCC's portion of the Alabama Community College Conference race off on the wrong foot, as it dropped decisions of 2-1 and 3-0 to the visiting Alabama Southern Lady Eagles Wednesday.
While the JDCC skipper expected some rustiness from a 10-day spring break layoff, it was more than the Lady Warhawks (7-20 overall and 0-2 in the ACCC) could withstand.
JDCC's best chance to make a statement in the opening game came in the bottom of the second inning when the Lady Warhawks loaded the bases with nobody out on consecutive singles by Stacy Sanders, Lakyn Newton and Sonie Demko. A strikeout, a forceout at the plate and groundout quickly bailed out Alabama Southern hurler Kayla Jordan.
JDCC pitcher Nikki Madden had allowed just one infield hit until the Lady Eagles scratched out the game's first run in the top of the fourth inning on an infield single by Sheila Jordan, a wild pitch and a two-out RBI single by Lacy Carlile.
The lone run on the day for the Lady Warhawks came in the bottom of the fourth inning came courtesy of a leadoff single by Sanders, a fielder's choice by Demko and a double by Kristen Phillips. Demko originally had to stop at third base, but a throwing error on the play allowed her to score and tie the game at 1-1.
Alabama Southern pushed across the go-ahead and what proved to be the winning run in the top of the fifth inning on an infield error and an RBI double by Kayla Jordan.
The Lady Eagles did all their second game damage in the top of the third inning with two out against JDCC pitcher Lakyn Newton.
A single by Kayla Jordan and a double by Sheila Jordan set up a run-scoring wild pitch. Tiffany Sirmon followed with an RBI single that made it 2-0. After a pair of walks, an RBI double by Shepherd took the lead to 3-0.
The Lady Warhawks were unable to get much anything going on their offensive end throughout the game. JDCC only hit two balls out of the infield although they did get a leadoff double by Carleen Clark in the bottom of the fourth inning that proved to be its best scoring chance.
The Lady Warhawks, who were scheduled to play at Bevill State Friday, return to ACCC action today when they host Enterprise in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
Game one
Alabama So. 000 110 0 – 2 8 1
JDCC 000 100 0 – 1 6 1
Game two
Alabama So. 003 000 0 – 3 11 1
JDCC 000 000 0 – 0 3 3