By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
ARITON — The Ariton Purple Cats put together an explosive offensive performance Thursday, rolling past the New Brockton Gamecocks in a stunning 22-2 victory highlighted by a standout night from Bryce Odom and others.
Odom led the charge for Ariton, driving in four runs while collecting two hits. His first-inning double brought home two runs, and he later added an RBI walk, a sacrifice fly, and an RBI single as the Purple Cats steadily built their lead.
Ariton wasted little time taking control of the game. In the bottom of the first inning, Wells Ganey opened the scoring with an RBI double before Easton Kilpatrick followed with a run-scoring single. Odom’s two-run double stretched the lead further, and Conner Davidson capped the frame with another RBI single to give the Purple Cats early momentum.
The game quickly got out of reach in the second inning when Ariton erupted for 11 runs. The Purple Cats capitalized on a combination of timely hits, walks, and defensive miscues by New Brockton. Bryson Rhett and Pierce Gill each delivered run-scoring singles during the rally, while Kilpatrick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run. Addison Senn also added an RBI single, and Odom brought home a run with a sacrifice fly as Ariton extended its advantage.
The Purple Cats continued to pile on in the third inning, scoring additional runs with help from an error, a fielder’s choice that brought a run home, and another RBI single from Rhett.
Kilpatrick earned the win on the mound for Ariton. The starter allowed just one hit over two innings while striking out four batters and issuing no walks. Odom, Hayes Hammock, and Ridge Hicks each worked scoreless relief innings to finish the game.
Ariton finished with 15 hits as a team. Odom, Gill, Ganey, Senn, and Rhett all recorded two hits apiece. The Purple Cats also showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks, including two by AJ Gutierrez.
On the basepaths, Ariton remained aggressive. Kilpatrick and Ganey each stole multiple bases as the Purple Cats swiped six bases overall.
New Brockton collected four hits in the contest. Dalton Rogers, Jacob Fisher, Payton McLaughlin, and Caleb Ennis each recorded a hit, while Fisher and Will Adkison drove in the Gamecocks’ two runs. New Brockton also turned a double play defensively.
Ariton is scheduled to return to action Monday when the Purple Cats host Providence Christian.
Bryson Rhett slides into home in Thursday night’s game against New Brockton. Photo by Ganey Photography.
Wells Ganey hits for the Purple Cats. Photo by Ganey Photography.
Addison Senn hits for Ariton during the game against New Brockton.
