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The Class 2A No. 1-ranked Ariton Purple Cats (20-6-1) dropped an Area 4 matchup with the No. 6-ranked GW Long Rebels (15-9) by a score of 11-5.

Long led 9-1 going into the fifth inning when the Cats started to rally, scoring four runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 9-5. That was as close as Ariton would get, however, as Long held on for the 11-5 victory.

Lawson Leger led Ariton at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while Easton Kilpatrick, Myles Tyler and Aven Cook scored one run each. Ian Senn took the loss on the mound, striking out one and giving up four hits and two earned runs in one and 2/3 innings pitched. Hughes Hammock, Addison Senn and Jessie Pelham struck out two batters each.

William Bush led Long at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Bryson McCrea also hit a home run. Bryson Hughes struck out three batters and gave up nine hits and five earned runs pitching a complete game for the Rebels.