After sweeping Escambia in a double-header, the Patriots softball team is poised to win the area title.

The Patriots shut out the Cougars 9-0 in game one before coming from behind in game two to win 11-4.

“It was big,” said Patriots head coach Robert Rolland. “It gets us closer to our goal which is hopefully becoming area champs. We seem to be playing better and better everyday. It was two big games.”

Bailey Rushing started game one for the Patriots and threw a complete game shutout while striking out 15 batters and allowing only four hits.

Kayla Dendy, the leadoff hitter for the Patriots, ended the game 2-4 at the plate and scored two runs. Amanda Finlayson went 1-3 with two runs and two stolen bases. Sam Yarbrough went 3-4 with five RBIs and one homerun. Rushing also did well at the plate, finishing 2-3 with a Homerun and two RBIs.

The Patriots scored four quick runs in the bottom of the first inning. Dendy and Finlayson both got on due to base hits and drove in on a homerun of the bat of Yarbrough. Rushing followed suit and hit a homerun making it two straight for the Patriots.

The Patriots added another run in the second inning. Finlayson led off the inning with a walk and would come around to score on a sacrifice bunt by Rushing.

Four more runs in the fourth slammed the door shut on the Cougars. The Patriots had runs scored by Dendy, Yarbrough, Jordan Grice and Katelyn Dendy to give them a 9-0 lead and the win.

“It was big because that won the series for us,” Rollan said. “Everyone is just trying to relax a little bit and just play and not be tense. That’s always a good thing.”

The Patriots struggled out of the gate in game two. The Cougars turned the tables and scored four runs in the first inning.

Yarbrough started the game for the Patriots and was relieved by Rushing after facing five batters, four of which were walked.

The Patriots responded quickly and evened the score at four in the bottom of the first. Dendy, Finlayson, Yarbrough and Rushing all got on base in the inning and came around to score. The Trojans added three more runs in the second off base hits by Katelyn Dendy, Kayla Dendy, Yarbrough and Brown. Kayla Dendy, Finlayson, and Yarbrough all came around to score in the inning.

After Katelyn Dendy and Elaina Strother both came around to score in the third, the Patriots added two more runs in the fourth by Danielle Brown and Mallory Clifton.

Afte relieving Yarbrough, Rushing allowed just one run and struck out five. Finlayson finished game two 2-4 with two RBIs. Yarbrough went 2-3 with three RBIs. Danielle Brown finished 3-3 with two RBIs.

The Patriots will be back in action on Thursday afternoon when they host Glenwood at 3:30 p.m.