Dale County Chronicle
ARITON — The Ariton Lady Cats turned in a dominant all-around performance Thursday, sweeping a doubleheader against Houston County with commanding 18-0 and 17-2 victories.
The strong performance also coincided with Senior Night, when the school honors the team’s seniors. Lizzy Faircloth was recognized Thursday night for her contributions to the team over the years as she prepares to graduate next month.
In the opener, Ariton broke the game open immediately with a 13-run first inning and never looked back. Molly Snell delivered one of the biggest hits of the frame, driving in three runs with a single on her way to a four-RBI game.
The Lady Cats combined timely hitting with patience at the plate and took advantage of Houston County miscues throughout the inning. Madolyn Hudson was hit by a pitch to bring in a run, Lizzy Faircloth added an RBI single, and Macileigh Bragg doubled home a run. Multiple errors and a passed ball also contributed to the outburst as Ariton sent a long line of batters to the plate.
Ariton added five more runs in the second inning. Hudson highlighted the frame with a two-run single, while additional Houston County errors allowed three more runs to score, extending the lead to 18-0.
Hudson was dominant in the circle, earning the win after tossing three hitless innings. She struck out six and did not issue a walk.
At the plate, Hudson and Bragg each collected two hits, while Faircloth drew two walks as part of a six-walk team effort. Defensively, Ariton was flawless, committing no errors, with Bragg leading the way with seven fielding chances.
Houston County’s L. Stewart took the loss after allowing 18 runs, six earned, on eight hits over two innings while striking out one and walking six.
The Lady Cats carried that momentum into game two, where another explosive first inning put the game out of reach early. Ariton scored 15 runs in the opening frame on the way to a 17-2 victory.
Hudson and Brynlee Peters each drew bases-loaded walks to force in runs, and Lizzie Woodfaulk delivered the biggest swing of the game with an inside-the-park grand slam. Faircloth added an RBI double, Peters followed with a run-scoring single, Molly Snell tripled and drove in a run, and Natalee Beltran contributed an RBI double. Additional runs scored on a Houston County error and a passed ball during the inning.
Ariton added two more runs in the second inning, with Faircloth driving in a run on a groundout and another run scoring on a Houston County error.
Peters earned the win in the circle, allowing one hit and two runs over three innings while striking out six and walking seven.
Woodfaulk led Ariton with three RBIs, while Beth Dixon went 2-for-2 at the plate and stole two bases. Jaylin McGuire drew three walks to lead a disciplined approach that produced 11 total walks. Defensively, Ariton remained sharp, committing no errors, with Ely Knight recording six fielding chances.
For Houston County, Stewart recorded the team’s lone hit in two at-bats, while C. Henley drew two walks as the team totaled seven walks. A. Freitag took the loss after surrendering 15 runs, six earned, on six hits over two innings while walking seven.
With the sweep, Ariton bounces back from its touch loss to Kinston earlier this week and builds momentum heading into its next matchup, a road contest against Dale County scheduled for Monday in Midland City.
