For the first time this season, Ariton will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup on Tuesday. They will be playing at home against the Long Rebels at 6:00 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Ariton barely beat Brantley the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. Ariton was the clear victors by an 11-2 margin over Brantley on Thursday. The high-flying hitting performance was a huge turnaround for the Purple Cats considering their one-run performance the match before.
Beth Dixon
| 03/13/25 vs Brantley | 9 |
| 03/12/24 vs Brantley | 7 |
| 02/15/24 @ Headland | 7 |
| 02/24/25 vs Geneva | 6 |
| 04/05/24 vs Charles Henderson | 6 |
Beth Dixon was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out nine over seven innings pitched. Those nine strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 3-for-4. She also put up two doubles, which were her first of the season.
In other batting news, Lizzy Faircloth was incredible, scoring three runs while getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Another player making a difference was Macileigh Bragg, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.
Meanwhile, Long came tearing into Monday's game with six straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 9.7 runs), and they left with even more momentum. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Yellowjackets a 15-0 shutout.
Like Ariton, Long also got a great game from a two-way player: Anna Claire Free. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Free has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, firing off two home runs, five RBI, and three runs while going 3-for-3.
In other batting news, Long got a massive performance out of Kaylie Foster, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI, one triple, and one run. Ansley Watson was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing Two bases. while going 2-for-3.
Long lost a few balls and finished the game with two home runs. That's the most home runs they've managed all season.
Long's win bumped their record up to 14-2. As for Ariton, their victory ended a four-game drought at home and bumped them up to 8-4-1.
Ariton couldn't quite finish off Long when the teams last played back in April of 2024 and fell 8-6. Can Ariton avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
