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The Class 2A No. 1-ranked Ariton Purple Cats lost their second straight game to the No. 6-ranked GW Long Rebels by a score of 3-2 on Friday in extra innings.

In a defensive battle, Ariton and Long went into the ninth inning tied 2-2. In the top of the inning, Long’s Blayne Wood hit an RBI single into center field that drove Dylan Abercrombie home for what would be the winning run. Ariton was unable to get into scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, sealing the win for Long.

Lawson Leger led Ariton at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run, while Myles Tyler earned a triple and scored one run. Leger took the loss on the mound, striking out one batter and giving up one hit and no earned runs in one and 1/3 innings pitched. Austin Evans pitched seven and 2/3 innings and fanned eight batters along with giving up seven hits and one earned run.

The win secured the 2A, Area 4 Championship for the Rebels. That win also secures Long home field advantage in the first round of the 2A State Playoffs as Long will host Aliceville. Meanwhile, Ariton will have to travel to Tuscaloosa Academy in the opening round.

In other action this weekend, the Zion Chapel Rebels fell to Wicksburg by a score of 3-2 on Saturday. Wicksburg scored all three runs in the seventh inning.

Brodie Stinson led ZCHS at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run and two doubles. Wes Braisted took the loss on the mound, striking out eight and giving up five hits and three earned runs in six and 1/3 innings pitched.

The Goshen Eagles lost 9-5 to Elba on Friday. Gavin Davis scored two runs, while Tristen Drinkard, Cade Edwards and Cody Boyett scored one run each. Boyette pitched three innings and fanned five batters along with giving up two hits and six earned runs.