Dale County Chronicle
Skipperville—The G.W. Long Rebels hosted their county and school system rivals, the Ariton Purple Cats, on Tuesday in a much-anticipated matchup. A fifth-inning surge proved to be the difference as the Ariton Purple Cats saw a one-run lead slip away in a 7-6 loss to the G.W. Long Rebels.
Ariton entered the bottom of the fifth inning holding a 6-5 advantage, but G.W. Long capitalized on key opportunities to reclaim the lead for good. Matthew McDaniel delivered the decisive blow with a two-run single, part of a three-run inning that also included a bases-loaded walk by Bryce Smith.
The Purple Cats came out strong offensively, jumping ahead in the top of the first inning. Addison Senn got things started with an RBI single, while a defensive miscue by the Rebels allowed two more runs to score, giving Ariton an early 3-0 edge.
G.W. Long answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game behind an Ariton error and a sacrifice fly from McDaniel. The Rebels then moved ahead in the second inning when Blayne Wood launched a solo home run to left field, putting his team up 4-3.
Ariton responded again in the third inning, reclaiming the lead with a three-run frame. Senn added another RBI single, an error brought in an additional run, and Hayes Hammock contributed with a run-scoring fielder’s choice to make it 6-4.
Senn paced the Purple Cats at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with three singles and multiple RBIs.
On the mound, Lawson German earned the complete-game victory for the Rebels, allowing seven hits and six runs, three of them earned, over seven innings while striking out four and walking three. Ridge Hicks was charged with the loss for Ariton after giving up four runs across four innings of work. Senn also saw time on the mound, allowing three runs, two earned, in a brief start.
Wood led G.W. Long offensively with two hits, while McDaniel and Aaron Yarbrough each drove in two runs. The Rebels also applied pressure on the basepaths throughout the game, totaling nine stolen bases, with Yarbrough, Eben Pritchett, and Smith each recording multiple steals.
Ariton will look to bounce back quickly and will have a shot at redemption in a rematch. The Purple Cats are set to host G.W. Long on Thursday, April 16.
