By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
FOLEY — Ariton’s Varsity Purple Cats watched victory slip through their claws Tuesday as a late surge by the Magnolia Varsity Panthers handed Ariton a 6-4 loss at Foley High School during the ongoing Gulf Coast Classic tournament held in Foley, Alabama.
The game was knotted at 4-all heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when Ty Spurling delivered a clutch double, driving in two runs to give Magnolia the lead they would not relinquish.
Magnolia opened the scoring in the second inning when Walker Carter’s sacrifice fly brought in a run. Spurling added to the Panthers’ advantage in the third with a single that extended the lead to 3-0. Ariton battled back in the top of the fifth, tying the game thanks to a combination of a sacrifice fly by Hayes Hammock, a double from Pierce Gill, and a single by Brodie Lowery.
On the mound, Gage Klober secured the win for Magnolia, tossing five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on six hits, and striking out six. Hammock took the loss for Ariton after two innings of work, giving up two runs on three hits while issuing two walks.
Starter Easton Kilpatrick pitched four innings for Ariton, surrendering four runs (two earned) on six hits. Titus Nelson recorded a save to close the game.
Offensively, Gill, Addison Senn, and Lowery each notched two hits for Ariton, with Gill driving in two runs. Magnolia’s Spurling had a standout performance, going 4-for-4 and racking up four RBIs. Jack Waller contributed two hits in three at-bats. Defensively, Magnolia was flawless, committing no errors, while Jack Stevens led the team with seven fielding chances. Ariton turned one double play in the contest.
The Purple Cats now turn their attention to Fayette County, where they will face their next challenge on Wednesday. The Magnolia Panthers lost an earlier game to Chelsea High School as they struggled to overcome the Hornets’ offensive plays and skilled pitching.
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