Dale County Chronicle
ARITON—After earning redemption in the opener, the Ariton Purple Cats were unable to complete a sweep, falling 5-3 to the G.W. Long Rebels in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader.
Ariton appeared poised to carry momentum from its earlier 4-2 win, striking first in Game Two when Easton Kilpatrick launched a solo home run to left field in the second inning to give the Purple Cats a 1-0 lead.
However, the Rebels answered decisively in the third inning. G.W. Long capitalized on a combination of timely hitting and Ariton miscues, plating five runs on three hits to take control of the game. A key error during the inning allowed two runs to score and proved to be a turning point.
Ariton worked to chip away at the deficit but was unable to fully recover.
Conner Davidson got the start on the mound for the Purple Cats, allowing five runs, only one earned, on six hits over three innings while striking out two and walking one. Pierce Gill provided solid relief, holding the Rebels scoreless over 3.2 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out one and walking one.
At the plate, Addison Senn and Davidson led Ariton with two hits each. Kilpatrick and Gill each drove in a run for the Purple Cats.
G.W. Long was paced offensively by Matthew McDaniel, who delivered a standout performance from the lower half of the lineup, going 4-for-4. Lawson German and Eben Pritchett each added an RBI, helping the Rebels maintain their advantage.
Pritchett earned the win for G.W. Long, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits over five innings while striking out four and walking four.
The split capped a competitive two-game set between the county rivals. After suffering a 7-6 loss earlier in the week, Ariton responded with a strong win in the first game Thursday before G.W. Long answered in the nightcap.
Ariton will look to regroup as the Purple Cats travel to face T.R. Miller on Saturday.
