Third-ranked Pike Liberal Arts handled No. 8 Macon-East 12-2 in a region game postponed 24 hours due to rain.

The game began Tuesday afternoon but was halted in the bottom of the first when showers soaked Butch Austin Field. The Patriots had already scored a run and loaded the bases when play resumed on Wednesday.

Taytom Barnes turned in a marquee performance. The Patriots second baseman was 4-for-4 in the game with four RBI.

Barnes was first to the plate as the game was restarted. He lined the first pitch he saw into deep center field for a 2-RBI double.

Pike Liberal Arts (11-3) would score five runs in the first inning as 11 batters came to the plate and would never look back. In the second, Blake Floyd would double home Nick McLaughlin before Barnes picked up an RBI single and would also score later to extend the lead to 8-0.

Pike would add a run in each the third and fourth innings.

Lawson Stewart was again solid on the mound as he pitched 4 2/3 after tossing 20 pitches on Tuesday. Stewart allowed two runs on four hits while striking out five.

Chandler Avant finished 2-for-3 while McLaughlin, Reed Dickey and Dustin Newman also had hits.

Pike Liberal Arts kicks off its annual Jonah McWaters Tournament on Thursday. The Patriots are slated to start their first round game against Northside Methodist at 3p.m.

For a full bracket of the tournament visit www.troymessenger.com.