By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
SKIPPERVILLE–The Ariton Varsity Lady Cats scored eight runs in the first inning and never looked back, defeating the Houston County Varsity Lady Lions by a whopping 15-0 on Monday.
Ariton’s explosive start featured a steady mix of walks, timely hits, and defensive breakdowns by Houston County. Macileigh Bragg drew a walk to drive in a run, Madolyn Hudson also walked to bring in a run, and Lizzy Faircloth singled to score another. Ainsley Swanson added a sacrifice fly, while additional runs came across on a dropped third strike and a passed ball. Beth Dixon drew a walk to plate another run, and the opening inning surge quickly put Ariton in control.
The Lady Cats extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Molly Snell singled to center field, and back-to-back Houston County errors allowed runs to score. Lizzie Woodfaulk then tripled to center field, clearing the bases as Ariton continued to widen the gap.
Ariton added three more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Swanson was hit by a pitch, Snell walked, and Brynlee Peters also walked, with each eventually coming around to score.
Lizzy Faircloth earned the win in the circle for Ariton. The left-hander allowed just one hit and no runs over three innings, striking out six and walking none. Ayden Noblitt took the loss for Houston County, pitching two innings and allowing 12 runs, two earned, on three hits, while striking out four and walking five.
At the plate, Faircloth, Bragg, Snell, and Woodfaulk each collected one hit for Ariton. Swanson and Snell each drove in two runs, while Hudson led the team in patience, drawing three walks. As a team, Ariton tallied nine walks in the game.
Defensively, the Lady Cats were flawless, committing no errors. Bragg led the fielding effort with six chances handled cleanly.
For Houston County, Lailah Morrow went 1-for-1 to account for the team’s lone hit.
