MONTGOMERY – Pike Liberal Arts erased a four-run deficit in the seventh inning but an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh by Tuscaloosa Academy pinch-hitter Robey Smalley sunk the Patriots 5-4.

Dalton Harris led off the seventh with a double. Reid Dickey followed with a walk. Dustin Newman would drive in Pike’s first run with a single. Dickey would score on Chandler Avant’s single to right field.

Trailing 4-2 with one out, Blake Floyd hit a two-RBI double for the Patriots to tie the game.

Tuscaloosa’s Daniel Winters doubled with one out in the seventh. After a line out, Smalley singled up the middel to score the game-winner.

The teams will meet again at Patterson Field at 11a.m. Thursday for the rubber match.