The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots came out on top in the battle of Top-3 teams in the state Wednesday in Troy by taking out Glenwood, 11-10.

Only five days had passed since Will Starling lost a 2-1 decision to the second-ranked Glenwood Gators last Friday.

The No. 3 Patriots (14-3, 8-2 AISA Class 3A, Region 1) got their revenge and handed Glenwood (24-9, 9-1) their first loss in region play.

“They are just a great team and they (Glenwood) never gave up in the game,” PLAS head coach Butch Austin said.

The Gators cut what was an 11-5 Patriot lead to 11-10 in the top of the seventh with two outs, but Bradley Floyd closed the door on the Gators with a strikeout.

Floyd picked up the win on the mound in five innings of work.

He had allowed zero runs on three hits until the seventh when he allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits.

He had four strikeouts in the game, two walks and he hit three batters.

“I am proud of these kids and we have had two tough games in a row and we won them both,” Austin said.

Glenwood opened the scoring in the first inning with three runs on Pike starter Justin McLaughlin, but the Patriots scored seven runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-3 lead and Pike never trailed again.

Ross Hixon walked to open the inning and Floyd launched a two-run home run to plate Hixon.

Will Starling followed with a solo home run to tie the game at 3-3.

Floyd was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs in the game.

Alex Adams doubled and scored on a double from Logan Stewart to give the Pats a 4-3 lead.

Stewart scored on a single by Blake Thomas. Trey Walters had reached on an error and scored on a single by Hixon. Floyd hit into a fielder’s choice and Corey Goodson, who was hit by a pitch, scored for the 7-3 lead.

Glenwood scored two more runs in the second inning, but Pike added one run in the bottom of the inning when Stewart singled with two outs and scored on a single by Goodson.

Pike tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fifth to push the lead to 11-5. Hixon led the inning off with a single. McLaughlin also singled and Adams drove in Hixon with a single. Walters singled to bring home Martin Meeks, who was running for Adams, and McLaughlin.

Walters finished with two RBIs and two walks.

Glenwood rode the four-hit, five-run seventh inning to Pike’s doorstep, but Floyd denied the Gators access to a win.

Up next for the Patriots is another region game Friday at home.

The Patriots host Fort Dale beginning at 3:30 p.m. and they also host region foe Taylor Road Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Click here for a photo gallery of Wednesday’s action