‘Absolutely electric’: Addison Senn powers Ariton past Mars Hill for 2A baseball title

The Ariton baseball program has never been one to shy away from a difficult path. For head coach Bob Pickett, that approach makes the eventual triumph even sweeter. On Tuesday night, the Purple Cats proved their mettle once again, rallying from a series-opening loss to capture the Class 2A state championship at Jim Case Stadium.

A Familiar Championship Grit

In a rematch of the state title series from two years ago, the No. 3-ranked Purple Cats swept the fifth-ranked Mars Hill Panthers 6-1 and 5-2 in the final two games. This victory marks Ariton's third state title in the last four years, further cementing the program's status as a powerhouse.

Ariton faced an uphill battle after falling 4-0 in Monday’s opener, but the team's mental toughness carried them through. "We believed in our team," said senior Easton Kilpatrick. "I wouldn’t want to go out there with anyone else."

Addison Senn: The Postseason Dynamo

Junior Addison Senn was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite dealing with a separated non-throwing shoulder, he delivered a masterpiece in the first game of the day, tossing a complete-game two-hitter with 13 strikeouts. Senn, who racked up 47 strikeouts during this postseason run, also drove in two runs in the finale to earn series MVP honors.

"Through the playoffs, he’s been absolutely electric," Pickett said. Mars Hill coach Josh Willingham echoed that sentiment, noting that the lefty kept his hitters off-balance throughout the afternoon.

Decisive Moments

The finale was a nail-biter that remained knotted at 2-2 until the seventh inning. Ariton ignited a three-run rally in the final frame, featuring a go-ahead fielder's choice from Senn followed by RBI singles from Bryson Rhett and Asa Thompson. Relief pitcher Pierce Gill slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh to secure the save, capping a solid outing by starter Phillip Hicks.

While Mars Hill (31-12) struggled to find its rhythm—leaving eight runners on base in the second game and hitting into 10 pop-outs—Ariton (31-8) executed under pressure. Conner Davidson led the Purple Cats' offensive charge in the finale with a 3-for-4 performance.

Looking Ahead

For Mars Hill, the defeat marks their 11th runner-up finish in state history. Coach Willingham acknowledged the difficulty of the day but is already looking toward the future, noting that the upcoming split between public and private schools will likely change the landscape for the 2027 season. Meanwhile, for the Ariton squad, the bus ride back home served as a celebration of a hard-earned, championship-caliber effort.