Pike Liberal Arts softball coach Allie Park saw her team go toe-to-toe with one of the most tradition rich programs in all of AISA. She also saw her team commit too many errors in a 10-7 loss to Macon-East Montgomery Academy Tuesday night at Mendy Avant Field in Troy.

The Lady Patriots clawed their way out of a two-run hole in the bottom of the first with stick work of their own. Kailee Taylor doubled to right field to start the bottom of the first. Amberlynn Baker traded places with Taylor with a double of her own later in the inning. Kayla Benton would bring home Baker with a single, and Bailey Rushing roped an RBI triple to right to cap the Pike Lib scoring in the first.

Macon-East responded with three more runs in the second, two in the fourth and three crucial insurance runs in the top of the fifth.

Pike picked up a run in third on a passed ball.

The Lady Patriots went to work in the bottom of the fifth. Taylor was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and later scored on a double off the bat of Baker. Benton would once again single in Baker later in the inning. Pike would score another run in the frame on hot shot of the bat of Rushing that went through the legs of the Macon shortstop. However, the late rally would fall short, as Shelby Baggett was called out on strikes to end the comeback effort.

“We hit the ball well today,” said Park. “The girls really wanted to win this game. We plated well early in the game, but in the middle innings we just made a couple of big errors. If we clean up those, we more than likely win the second game.”

Baker led the Lady Patriots at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three doubles and a pair of RBIs.

Kayla Benton went 2-for-3 on the night with a pair of RBIs as well.

Park said those two players have been the key to the Pike lineup all season long.

“AB and Kayla have great discipline at the plate, said Park. “The y expect to get on base every time, and most times I do as well. They have been big for us all year. I want some of their hitting to rub off on the entire roster.”

Pike lost the first game against Macon-East 11-2.

Pike will play host to several teams from across the state of Alabama this weekend in the softball portion of the Jonah McWaters Tournament.

The Lady Pats will play two games on Thursday, with the first beginning at 10 a.m.