Since the loss to Macon-East back on March 27, the Pike Liberal Arts baseball team has been unbeaten, beating Hooper Academy, No. 1 ranked Glenwood and Malone High School.

Those winning ways continued into the new week.

The Patriots made the trip up to Lakeside Academy on Monday night, and came back to Pike County with its 21st win of the season, thanks to a 4-1 victory.

Lawson Stewart got his second win of the season for PLAS, tossing three scoreless innings, while allowing just two runners on base thanks to a walk and a hit.

Stewart also recorded his twelfth and thirteen strikeout of the season thanks to fanning two Lakeside batters.

Josh Starling got his first save of the season after coming in for Stewart for the final four innings of the game.

Startling gave up one earned run on four hits, while striking out five.

At the plate for PLAS, the team’s leadoff men, Ross Hixon and Trey Walters each went 2-3 while Justin McLaughlin and Blake Floyd, who was returning from an injured hamstring, went 1-3.

Floyd’s double brought in a run.

Next for the Patriots is another ranked opponent on the road, this time against No. 9 Fort Dale today at 4:30 p.m.

PLAS will enter the game with the No. 4 ranking in the AISA poll.

This is the first time the two AAA Region 1 rivals have met in the 2010 season.