Sports Writer

For the first time this season, the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots put together consecutive victories as they defeated the Hooper Academy Colts 7-4 in Alabama Independent School Association Baseball action

at Hope Hull in suburban Montgomery late Tuesday afternoon.

The game was played in a light rain as the Patriots (3-6) were able to avoid another game called due to weather. PLAS has

been victimized by Mother Nature throughout the 2001 baseball season.

Freshman pitcher Brandon Hooks went the distance to earn the win. Hooks pitched seven innings allowing three earned runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out five batters.

Offensively, junior Druid Conrad led the way for the Patriots with three hits while Hooks, Layton Sanders and Scott Kirby each had two hits in the winning effort. PLAS pounded out 12 hits in the winning attack.

PLAS head coach Butch Austin said he was very pleased with his team’s performance.

"We hit the ball pretty good compared to the day before (Monday against Fort Dale Academy)," Austin said. "We played very good defense and got some good pitching. Brandon pitched really well for us."

PLAS softball team also wins two in a row

The Pike Liberal Arts fast pitch softball team claimed its second consecutive victory with a convincing 7-2 win over Hooper Academy Tuesday afternoon in a light rain.

Senior pitcher Audrey Adams pitched well enough to earn the win. Adams and Trisha Lucas each collected one hit in the winning effort for the Lady Patriots (5-4).

The Patriots return to action Friday afternoon when they host Lee Scott Academy in a region contest. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Patriot Field.