The Pike Patriots picked up a six-run first inning on the way to an 11-5 win over Lee-Scott Friday night earning them a spot in next week’s final four.

“This group of kids has worked extremely hard,” said Patriots head coach Allen Ponder. “This hard work has paid off, and I am extremely proud of them. We are looking forward to the next series.”

Reed Jinright earned the win after throwing 5 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on five hits. Hunter Jones came in mopped up the remaining 2 1/3 innings.

The Patriots picked up nine hits led by Jade Sikes who finished with two. Jones, Reed Jinright, Wood Jinright, Tyler Hussey, Trevor Barron, Cody Hollis and Cole McWhorter all had one hit.

As the visitors in game two, the Patriots had eight straight batters reach after leadoff batter Hollis struck out. By inning’s end the Patriots scored six runs before Lee-Scott was even able to hit. McWhorter and Wood Jinright had back-to-back bases loaded walks to put the Patriots up 2-0. Sikes had the big blow of the inning, a bases clearing double, scoring Hussey, Clay Barron and Wood Jinright. Sikes scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.

The Warriors cut into the Patriots lead in the third after the first two batters reached on a double and single. Both runners came around to score on a dropped third strike after catcher McWhorter sailed his throw over the first baseman.

It took an inning, but the Patriots got the run back in the fifth when Sikes hit a sacrifice fly to score Clay Barron to bring the lead back to five at 7-2.

After the Warriors scored a run to close out the fifth the Patriots sent eight batters to the plate. Two runs scored on an error off the bat of Reed Jinright and a bases loaded walk by Sikes to bring the score to 9-3.

The Warriors brought the score to 9-5 with a two-run sixth. After three consecutive walks to begin the inning, McWhorter doubled high off the wall in left to score Cason Murphree and Hollis to bring the score to 11-5.

The Patriots defeated Lee-Scott in game one 4-1 on Friday night. Reece Burbage got the call for the Patriots and pitched all seven innings, earning himself the win.

“I am very proud of Reece,” Ponder said. “He was a little tender and he told me he wanted to stay in. I told him to start pitching and stop throwing. He pitched the best game he has had all year.”

The Patriots will host Morgan in a best two-of-three series at 4 p.m. Wednesday.