An eight-run rally in the third inning spurred Chilton County to an 11-4 win over Demopolis on Tuesday in the rubber game of the Class 5A second round playoff series.

Chilton County took advantage of an apparent injury sustained by Demopolis starting pitcher Ben Pettus to hang two runs in the first inning before the senior hurler was forced to exit the mound.

Cameron Cummings singled to open the frame before coming around on an RBI double by Adam Minor. Craig Headley then traded places with Minor to put CCHS up 3-0.

The home Tigers then went through two relievers before finally getting out of the frame. Tyler Crowson had the biggest blow of the inning with a two RBI double to plate Chance Calloway and Trenton Bishop.

Chilton added two insurance runs in the fourth inning with an RBI walk by Crowson and a run-scoring single by Evan Moates.

The offensive outburst came after Chilton lost its own starting pitcher in the home half of the second inning. Blake Teel worked a 1-2-3 first inning before doubling home Calloway in the top of the second. Teel suffered an injury sliding into the bag at second.

Chilton County head coach Josey Shannon turned the pitching duties over to Cummings before allowing Trevor Thomas to pitch the final two innings of the victory.

Demopolis got its first offense in the home portion of the fourth inning when Alex Sturdivant reached on a bunt single before Chase Cameron walked. Allen Tucker then stroked a two-RBI double to score Sturdivant and pinch runner Josh Mangum.

Demopolis added two more runs in the bottom of the seventh when Sturdivant doubled in Pettus and Kole Thrasher. The rally fell short as the host Tigers stranded two runners, bringing their total to 30 men left on base in the three-game series.

The win sends Chilton County to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs where it will face Spanish Fort and ends Demopolis’ season at 15-16.

Thorsby’s Game 3 postponed

Thorsby’s scheduled Game 3 in a second round series at Horseshoe Bend was postponed Tuesday because of rain.

The teams will play the game—which will decide who earns a berth in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs—at 3 p.m. Wednesday.