The Pike Patriots battled back from seven runs down, but came up one run short in an 8-7 loss to Abbeville Christian on Thursday night.

Haleigh Dewberry took the mound as the Patriots starter on Thursday night and lasted three and a third innings allowing eight runs. Morgan Bundy came in and pitched the remaining three and two thirds innings of the game without allowing a run.

After sailing through the first two innings, Dewberry struggled a bit in the third. The Generals put up five runs after loading the bases twice in the inning on four hits and two walks to gain a five run advantage.

Bundy brought the Patriots one run closer when she smashed the ball over the right fielder’s outstretched arm. Bundy raced around the bases for an inside the park homerun to bring the score to 5-1.

The Generals added three more runs in the fourth inning on four hits chasing Dewberry from the game with only one out in the inning. Bundy came in and ended the inning with a runner stranded on third but not before the Generals took an 8-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth.

The Patriots tried to inch closer in the bottom of the fifth inning sending seven batters to the plate. Callee Jinright doubled to score Danielle Brown to bring the score to 8-2 and Maddie Johnson singled to score Jinright to bring in another run heading into the sixth.

The Patriots made it 8-4 in the sixth inning when Kaitlyn Dendy singled to score Jordan Grice.

The Patriots rallied for three runs in the seventh inning. Maggie Phelps tripled to score both Johnson and Emily Williamson. Bundy followed with a single to score Phelps to bring the Patriots within one run. With Bundy at third and two outs in the inning, Dendy struck out swinging to end the game.

The Patriots finished with 15 hits. Brown led the way with three hits, while Dewberry, Bundy, Jinright and Johnson all finished with two.

The Patriots will be back in action today to take part in the Macon East Tournament.