By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
The Ariton Lady Cats scratched across just enough offense Monday to secure a 2-1 win over the Straughn Lady Tigers in a tightly contested matchup where runs were at a premium.
Both teams relied heavily on strong pitching performances, but Ariton’s Lizzy Faircloth proved to be the difference. The left-hander went the distance in the circle, working all seven innings while allowing just three hits and one unearned run. She struck out three batters and issued two walks in a steady outing.
Ariton wasted little time getting on the board. In the top of the first inning, Faircloth helped her own cause with a sacrifice fly that brought home the game’s first run.
Straughn answered in the bottom of the second. Jaycee Norton executed a sacrifice bunt that allowed the Lady Tigers to even the score at 1-1.
The Purple Cats regained the lead in the third inning when Faircloth delivered again, this time with an RBI single that plated what would become the winning run.
Offense remained limited the rest of the way as both defenses held firm. Julia Harold took the loss for Straughn after pitching four and one-third innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three and walking two.
Faircloth led Ariton offensively with two RBIs, while Macileigh Bragg, Madolyn Hudson, and Molly Snell each recorded a hit.
Straughn managed just three hits in the contest, with Layla Walker, Kyleigh Bennett, and Harold accounting for the offense. Norton drove in the Lady Tigers’ lone run, and the defense turned a double play to limit further damage.
The win comes after the Lady Cats secured two decisive wins at the Addyson Martin Tournament, defeating Pike County 14-2 and Zion Chapel 12-0.
With the win, Ariton continues its schedule at home on Tuesday against the Kinston Bulldogs, followed by a doubleheader against Houston Academy on Senior Night Thursday afternoon in Ariton.
