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For the second year in a row, the Ariton Purple Cats will be playing for a Class 2A State Championship, after sweeping their way through the semifinals over the Bayshore Christian Eagles.

In game one, it was all Ariton after falling behind early. Bayshore took a 2-1 lead into the fourth inning when Artion scored 11 unanswered runs, including four in the fourth and seven in the fifth inning.

Myles Tyler went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and three runs, while Aven Cook went 2-for-2 with a run and Addison Senn went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run. Ian Senn also went 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs. Ian Senn pitched five innings and fanned six batters, while giving up five hits and one earned run.

For Bayshore, Jack Wheeler went 2-for-2 with a double and one run. Jack Malone pitched four and 1/3 innings and struck out one batter, while giving up 10 hits and 11 earned runs.

Game two was more of the same as Ariton won 10-0 in five innings. Caden Collier went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, while Ian Senn went 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and three runs. Jessie Pelham and Addison Senn also scored two runs each. Austin Evans pitched all five innings and fanned one batter, while giving up three hits and no runs.

For Bayshore, Braden Preus struck out one batter and gave up five hits and three earned runs in three innings on the mound.

The Cats won the school’s first 2A State Championship last year and will now have the opportunity to repeat as state champs next week in the 2A State Championship Game. Ariton will play the winner of the Red Bay vs. Mars Hill Bible series.