Dale County Chronicle
ARITON—Two days after letting a late lead slip away, the Ariton Purple Cats earned redemption against the G.W. Long Rebels.
Behind a dominant complete-game performance from Easton Kilpatrick, Ariton earned a 4-2 victory over the Rebels on Thursday, avenging a 7-6 loss to their county rival earlier in the week.
Tuesday’s matchup in Skipperville saw Ariton build an early lead and carry a 6-5 advantage into the fifth inning before G.W. Long surged ahead for good. A two-run single from Matthew McDaniel highlighted a three-run frame that handed the Rebels the win, despite a strong offensive showing from Addison Senn, who finished 3-for-4 at the plate.
On Thursday, the Purple Cats made sure history did not repeat itself when the Rebels traveled to Ariton.
Kilpatrick set the tone from the start, striking out 10 batters while scattering just three hits and allowing two runs over seven innings. He walked only one batter and consistently kept the Rebels off balance to secure the complete-game win.
Ariton took an early lead in the bottom of the second inning when Addison Senn brought home a run on a groundout, giving the Purple Cats a 1-0 edge.
The decisive moment came in the fifth inning, when Wells Ganey delivered a three-run home run to left field, extending Ariton’s lead to 4-0 and providing the cushion it lacked in Tuesday’s loss.
G.W. Long managed to push across two runs, but Kilpatrick limited further damage and closed the door late.
Ganey led Ariton offensively with three RBIs, finishing 1-for-2, while Kilpatrick, Hayes Hammock, Ganey, and Senn each recorded a hit. Kilpatrick also added two stolen bases, and the Purple Cats turned a double play defensively.
For the Rebels, Ayden Meeks, Blayne Wood, and Matthew McDaniel each collected a hit, with Meeks and Wood driving in runs.
Wood took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs on four hits over five innings, striking out three and walking two.
The win marked a quick turnaround for Ariton, which showed resilience after Tuesday’s setback by pairing timely hitting with a standout pitching performance to split the two-game stretch with G.W. Long.
Pierce Gill (#3) during Thursday’s game against G.W. Long. (Photo by Ganey Photography).
