By: Jeff Devine
Midland City–The 2A, Area 3 #2 Ranked Ariton Lady Cats Roared Past Dale County’s Lady Warriors in Midland City on Monday night, securing a strong 13-2 victory.
Dixon led the way for the Purple Cats, driving in four runs on two hits. She delivered a two-run single during Ariton’s five-run third inning and added another two-run hit in the fifth to help put the game out of reach.
Ariton struck first in the opening inning when Lizzy Faircloth doubled to bring home a run. Dale County answered quickly, as Emma Grace Rhoden came through with a two-strike single to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom half.
The Purple Cats regained the lead in the second inning, taking advantage of a Dale County error to go up 2-1. From there, Ariton’s offense began to separate.
In the third inning, Ariton broke things open with five runs on four hits. Brynlee Peters singled in a run, Jaylin McGuire drew a bases-loaded walk, Dixon followed with a two-run single, and Madolyn Hudson added another RBI via a walk.
The Purple Cats kept the pressure on in the fifth, scoring six more runs. Faircloth highlighted the inning with a three-run single, Lizzie Woodfaulk added an RBI hit, and Dixon capped her performance with another two-run single.
Dixon also earned the win in the circle, pitching five innings and allowing seven hits and two runs, one earned, while striking out two and walking two.
Dale County’s Natalie Draper took the loss, surrendering seven runs, one earned, on eight hits over four innings. She recorded three strikeouts and issued four walks.
Ariton finished with 13 hits, with Faircloth, Dixon, Peters, Molly Snell, and Woodfaulk each collecting two. Hudson added three walks as the Purple Cats showed patience at the plate with six total walks.
Despite the loss, Dale County saw production throughout the lineup, with six different players recording at least one hit. Leah Grace Snellgrove led the way, going 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base from the leadoff spot. Rhoden and Ansley Woods each drove in a run for the Warriors.
The loss continues a difficult stretch for Dale County, which has dropped five of its last six games to fall to 16-19 on the season. Ariton, meanwhile, improved to 17-14 with the victory.
Dale County will look to bounce back on the road Tuesday with a 5 p.m. matchup at Headland. Ariton is set to return home the same day, hosting Brantley at 4:30 p.m.
