Lady Patriots dig out of early hole to rally for win over Evangel Christian

The Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots took Evangel Christian’s best knockout shot in the first inning, but never went down.

After finding themselves down 5-0 after an inning-and-a-half, the Lady Patriots sent nine batters to the plate in each of the next two innings en route to a 15-8 win over the Lady Lions.

Ellie Barron drew a leadoff walk to open the Pike half of the second inning, and moved to third on a Bailey Rushing single. Shelby Baggett singled in Rushing on the next at-bat.

Later in the inning, Kayla Dendy drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Baggett.

In the third inning, Pike Liberal began the inning with six straight quality at-bats to tie the game at five.

Barron once again drew a leadoff walk, followed by a Rushing line drive single.

Following a walk by Shelby Baggett, Amanda Finlayson was hit by a pitch, one of three times she was hit in the game, to bring home a run. Mary Margaret Starling picked up an RBI with a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.

Pike Liberal took the lead for good on an error by Evangel’s third baseman on a hot shot from Kailee Taylor.

“It seemed like for the first couple of innings we just were not there,” said Pike Liberal head coach Allie Park. “We got our bats going in the middle innings, and finally started getting things going. Evangel’s pitcher walked some and hit some, but we cashed in on those mistakes.”

The Lady Patriots picked up picked up one run in the bottom of the fifth, and three more in the sixth.

Kayla Benton and Barron each picked up RBIs in the sixth inning.

Bailey Rushing led Pike at the plate.

Rushing went 5-for-6 at the dish, with five singles.

Park liked what she saw from the young third baseman.

“I think Bailey was a little intimidated at the start of the season, being on the varsity,” Park said. “But she has taken it in stride, and has produced all season. She is the type of player that a coach wishes you had 10 of. She is always working to get better, and I can’t wait to see her grow more of the next few years.”

Shelby Baggett picked up the win in the circle, tossing all seven innings.

Pike’s next scheduled games is slated for Monday April 14 at Lakeside in Eufaula.

First pitch for that contest is set for 3:30 p.m.