Dale County Chronicle
Montgomery–The Ariton Purple Cats put together a strong all-around performance Monday, rolling past the Trinity Presbyterian Wildcats with a 13-3 victory behind a big day at the plate from Wells Ganey. The Purple Cats took on the Wildcats on the road in Montgomery.
Ganey powered the Purple Cats’ offense, going 3-for-5 with a double and two singles, helping Ariton build and maintain control throughout the game.
Ariton wasted little time getting on the board. In the opening inning, Easton Kilpatrick delivered an RBI single to give the Purple Cats an early advantage. They extended that lead in the second inning when Brodie Lowery lifted a sacrifice fly, and Ganey followed with an RBI single to center.
The Purple Cats continued to add on in the third inning, taking advantage of patience at the plate, including a bases-loaded walk drawn by Conner Davidson that brought in two more runs.
Ariton broke the game open late with a five-run seventh inning. Lowery started the rally with an RBI single, Kilpatrick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run, Bryson Rhett added an RBI single, and Bryce Odom capped the inning with a two-run single.
Kilpatrick earned the win on the mound, working five innings while allowing five hits and two runs, only one earned. He struck out five and issued three walks. Davidson came on in relief to secure the save.
At the plate, Ariton totaled 14 hits. Kilpatrick, Odom, and Lowery each drove in two runs, while Hayes Hammock and Rhett recorded multiple hits. The Purple Cats also showed discipline, drawing eight walks, with Kilpatrick, Davidson, and Rhett each earning two.
Trinity Presbyterian found some success offensively, led by John Allen Schroll, who drove in two runs. Land Sharpless and Brody Owens each collected a pair of hits for the Wildcats, who also turned a double play defensively. PJ Shelton, Brandon Boswell, and Lucas Snyder each grabbed one run, making up the three total runs for the Wildcats.
With the win, Ariton builds momentum heading into its next matchup, as the Purple Cats are scheduled to host the Providence Christian Eagles on Tuesday.
