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The reigning Class 2A State Champion Ariton Purple Cats topped the Tuscaloosa Academy Knights on the road in the opening round of the 2A State Baseball Playoffs on Friday in a 2-0 sweep.

Ariton topped Tuscaloosa Academy in game one by a score of 7-5 in extra innings. With the game tied 4-4, the two sides went into a ninth inning when the Cats scored three runs to go up 7-4. Tuscaloosa Academy attempted to rally in the bottom of the inning but could only muster one more run.

Ian Senn went 2-for-4 at the plate for Ariton with a double, three RBIs and one run. Senn also pitched six and 2/3 innings with two strikeouts, while giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Lawson Leger gave up three hits and one earned run in two and 1/3 innings on the mound.

In game two, Ariton led for most of the game, taking a 2-0 lead into the seventh. Tuscaloosa Academy scored two runs in the top of the seventh to tie things up. In the bottom of the inning,though, Aven Cook hit a walk-off RBI single that drove Senn in for the winning run.

Austin Evans pitched all seven innings for the Cats in game two, striking out three and giving up two hits and two earned runs.

Ariton will play Wicksburg in the second round of the playoffs next week. Wicksburg topped Horshoe Bend on Friday in the first round.