By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
BRUNDIDGE — Easton Kilpatrick delivered a thunderous performance at the plate, driving in six runs as Ariton powered past Pike Liberal Arts 23 to 6 in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader at Pike Liberal Arts School, completing a dominant sweep emphatically.
The Purple Cats backed up their Game 1 win with an offensive avalanche that featured a 13-run second inning and an eight-run fourth inning, turning the nightcap into a runaway early and often.
Pike Liberal Arts briefly opened the scoring when Jackson Bowen launched a solo home run to left field in the first inning. Ariton answered immediately in the bottom half, as Kilpatrick doubled home two runs to flip the momentum and give the Purple Cats a 2 to 1 advantage.
The game unraveled for the Patriots in the second inning, when Ariton sent 13 runs across the plate in a relentless offensive surge. The inning featured a steady mix of RBI hits, walks, a hit by pitch, and defensive breakdowns. Addison Senn, Bryson Rhett, Pierce Gill, Conner Davidson, Brodie Lowery, Bryce Odom, Wells Ganey, and Kilpatrick all factored into the scoring barrage. Rhett also added a triple as Ariton batted around with ease.
Pike Liberal Arts briefly responded in the third inning with five runs on three hits. Braden Shirley delivered a two-run single, Layton Jordan added an RBI knock, Garrett Whitaker drove in another run, and an Ariton error accounted for the final run of the frame.
Ariton slammed the door in the fourth inning with eight more runs to end any doubt. Rhett doubled in a run, Odom and Davidson added RBI singles, Lowery brought in a run on a fielder’s choice, and Kilpatrick put the finishing touch on the night with a grand slam to left field.
Kilpatrick finished the game with three hits and six RBIs, while Senn and Gill also recorded three-hit performances. Ganey, Davidson, and Rhett each added multiple hits, with Ganey drawing three walks as Ariton piled up 10 free passes. The Purple Cats also swiped seven bases, with Gill and Davidson each contributing multiple steals.
Pierce Gill earned the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no hits allowed. Davidson started on the mound, allowing one run on two hits over one and two-thirds innings, while Senn and Ridge Hicks also worked in relief.
Ariton Head Baseball Coach BobPickett expressed his pride in his team’s hard work, saying, “I was proud of our team. Easton Kilpatrick came out and set the tone in game one on the mountain. I thought we swung the bats really well all day, on through nine, and played good team baseball.”
Ariton finished with 17 hits and 23 runs in Game 2, putting an exclamation point on a doubleheader sweep that showcased the Purple Cats’ depth, patience at the plate, and explosive scoring ability. With the win, Ariton improves to a record of 26 wins and only 7 losses, and they now advance to the next round of the AHSAA baseball playoffs. They will face Ranburne at home in Ariton on Thursday of next week. With the latest win, Ariton improves to a win-loss record of 26-7 for the season.
To read our coverage of Game 1 of the Doubleheader, click here.
