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In back-to-back games on Tuesday, the Ariton Lady Purple Cats lost to the GW Long Lady Rebels in the Class 2A, Area 3 Championship.

Ariton went into the championship round undefeated – having beaten Long on Monday – and needed just one more win to take the championship, while Long had to win back-to-back games to take the crown in the double elimination tournament.

In game one, Ariton led 3-2 going into the fourth inning when the Lady Rebels exploded to score six runs and take an 8-3 lead. Ariton attempted to rally late, scoring three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the lead to 8-6 but that was as close as the Lady Cats would get.

Beth Dixon led AHS at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs, while Madolyn Hudson went 3-for-3 with a run. Nya Allen also hit a two run home run. Sydney Adams pitched six innings and fanned five batters, while giving up nine hits and seven earned runs.

In the championship game, it was all Long as the Lady Rebels scored 12 runs in the first inning and eventually won 19-1. Brianna Acahua sored Ariton’s lone run. Lizzy Faircloth pitched three innings and fanned two batters.
GW Long and Ariton both advance to the 2A South Regional Softball Tournament in Gulf Shores next week.