The second ranked Pike Patriots split with Bessemer Academy in a non-area double-header on Saturday afternoon in Troy.

Pitching led the way to a 6-1 win for the Patriots in game one before the offenses woke up in game two in a 7-6 win for Bessemer.

After Saturday’s double-header, the Patriots overall record is 19-4.

Jade Sikes allowed two hits and allowed just one run in a complete game performance for the Patriots. He struck out eight batters and walked two while earning the win.

The Patriots finished with nine hits. Hunter Jones, Reed Jinright, Tyler Hussey and Cason Murphree all finished with two hits. The Patriots got RBIs from Wood Jinright, Hussey and Tristan Carter. Only three of the six Patriots scores were earned.

It was Bessemer who took the early lead in game one when they scored in their half of the first. The Patriots evened the score at one in the second when Jones reached home on an error to score Trevor Barron.

The Patriots took the lead in the third inning when Reed Jinright scored on a wild pitch.

The Patriots put the game out of reach with a four-run fourth inning. Trevor Barron scored the first run of the inning when Wood Jinright reached home on an error. Murphree scored on a ground out double play by Reed Jinright and Jones scored on a single by Hussey. Clay Barron scored the final run of the game on a single by Carter.

Game two

Bessemer’s bats woke up in their game two win over the Patriots. Nine different Bessemer players picked up a hit in the contest.

Carter started game two for the Patriots and lasted three and two-thirds innings while allowing five runs, four of them earned on eight hits. Tyler Floyd pitched the remaining three and one-third innings and allowed two runs on two hits.

The Patriots finished with five hits led by Max Copeland, who went 2-3 with one RBI.

After a scoreless first inning, the Patriots entered the bottom of the second down 2-0. They evened the score at two when Sikes scored on a balk by the pitcher and Copeland scored on a fielder’s choice by Murphree.

The Patriots added three more runs in the third to take a 5-2 lead. Wood Jinright scored on a sacrifice fly by Hussey, Reed Jinright scored on a single by Copeland and Sikes scored on a single by Trevor Barron.

Bessemer evened the score with three runs in the fourth inning before taking the lead in the fifth with two more.

Down by two runs in the seventh, the Patriots cut their deficit in half when Reed Jinright scored on a walk by Reece Burbage. With the bases loaded Murphree struck out to end the game.

The Patriots will be back in action on March 31 when they take part in the Bessemer tournament.