By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
ARITON — Conner Davidson led the way for the Ariton Varsity Purple Cats with three hits as the team rolled past the Eufaula Varsity Tigers 16-4 on Friday. Davidson singled in the fourth and fifth innings and added a double in the seventh to anchor a potent Purple Cats offense.
Ariton jumped on the board early in the first inning, taking advantage of a Tigers’ error. Easton Kilpatrick lined a single down the right-field line, Addison Senn executed a successful sacrifice bunt, and Bryson Rhett delivered a double to center field, driving in two runs and giving the Purple Cats an early lead.
Senn picked up the win on the mound for Ariton, tossing two and one-third innings while allowing just two runs (one earned) on one hit. He struck out six and walked three. Nolan Hays took the loss for Eufaula, giving up six runs (five earned) on four hits over four innings, with one strikeout and two walks. In relief, Ridge Hicks threw two and one-third innings of scoreless ball, allowing two hits while striking out one.
The Purple Cats racked up a total of 15 hits, with Davidson and Rhett each collecting three and hitting consecutively in the lineup. Hayes Hammock, Wells Ganey, Davidson, and Rhett all drove in two runs apiece, while Kilpatrick and Senn added multiple hits of their own. Ariton also showcased speed on the base paths, recording four stolen bases during the contest.
For Eufaula, Joseph Zellner and Mac Hays each drove in a run. The Tigers showed patience at the plate, drawing seven walks in the game, with Zellner and Corbin Knott accounting for two each.
Ariton Varsity Purple Cats will return to the diamond at home on Monday to face the Ramsay Varsity Rams.
Ariton Earns Strong Win Against Florala
By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
FLORALA — A dominant performance on the mound from Easton Kilpatrick, combined with timely hitting and aggressive baserunning, carried the Ariton Purple Cats to an 8-1 victory over Florala last Tuesday.
Kilpatrick controlled the game from the start, striking out 11 batters over five and two-thirds innings. The right-hander allowed just four hits and one run while issuing two walks.
Ariton wasted little time getting on the board, pushing across a run at the top of the first inning. Florala answered in the second when Aaron Jackson delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.
The Purple Cats regained control in the third inning. With runners in scoring position, Wells Ganey lifted a sacrifice fly that brought home two runs, giving Ariton a 3-1 lead it would not relinquish.
Ariton continued to apply pressure throughout the game, using speed and smart baserunning to its advantage. The Purple Cats stole six bases, including two by Kilpatrick, and consistently forced Florala into difficult defensive situations.
At the plate, Pierce Gill and Brodie Lowery led the way with two hits apiece, while Ganey finished with a team-high two RBIs.
Florala’s Easton Walsh struck out 10 batters in five and two-thirds innings but took the loss after allowing seven runs, only three of which were earned.
Defensively, Ariton was flawless, committing no errors. Ganey anchored the effort behind the plate, recording a team-high 12 chances.
Florala managed four hits on the night, with Jackson accounting for the team’s lone RBI. Noah Bryan and Dawson Reeves also contributed hits for the Wildcats.
Ariton will look to carry the momentum into Thursday’s road matchup against Abbeville.
