Jags end 2026 regular season at home with 8-3 win over Tigers

After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first inning, the Northridge Jaguars ended the 2026 regular season at The Ridge on Friday night scoring eight runs for an 8-3 comeback win over the Demopolis Tigers. After giving up the early runs, the Jags slowly put things together and eventually scored six runs of their final two plate appearances, while holding the Tigers scoreless.

The home finale started out with a sputter, when the visiting Tigers ran out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Jags didn’t fold, getting runners on base and eventually Bus Payne scored on a Demopolis error, trimming the lead to 3-1 after one complete inning.

Miller Arendale helped the Northridge cause in the bottom of the second, launching a homerun over the fence in right field. Though the Jags failed to score more, they did close the Demopolis lead to 3-2.

After three scoreless at-bats for the Tigers and two for the Jags, Northridge took the lead, plating three runs in the bottom of the fifth. A Ford Cole single, Mayson Elam walk and intentional walk for Wyatt Rath loaded the bases for John Pruet. Cole scored on a passed ball and Pruet delivered a single that scored Elam and Bus Payne (who was in to run for Rath). Pruet ended up stranded at third, but the Jags had taken a 5-3 lead after five innings.

Northridge prevented Demopolis from reaching the plate again in the top of the sixth, then scored three more insurance runs in the bottom half. After reaching third base, Cole scored his second run of the evening on an error by the Demopolis catcher. Elam scored his second run on a passed ball. The Jags recorded their final run of the game on Pruet’s sacrifice to center that scored Arendale from third.

Evan Malone, who took the mound in the top of the fifth, struck out the first two Tiger batters in the top of the seventh. Rath finalized the win, securing a pop-up in foul territory to give the Jags the 8-3 victory to end the 2026 regular season at The Ridge.

Rath collected one hit on the evening. Pruet totaled two hits and collected three RBIs. Arendale had the four-bagger, scored one run and notched one RBI. Cole was credited with one hit and scored two runs.

Barron Gatlin got the start on the mound, but only recorded one out while giving up three runs. (Must have been a voodoo doll involved.) Caden Chaney relived Gatlin and recorded two out one ninepitches to close out the inning. Ellis Tucker completed innings two through four, allowing two hits while recording three strikeouts and giving up no runs. Malone completed the final three innings, giving up one hit while striking out seven Tigers.

Next up, the Jags (28-6) will host the Chilton County Tigers (currently 5-22, technically with three games remaining) at The Ridge for the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 is slated to start at 4:30pm on Thursday, April 23. Game 2 will follow at approximately 7:00pm.