The Pike Patriot varsity baseball team overcame a seven-run deficit on Tuesday night, but fell in extra innings to Macon East 9-8.

The Patriots scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take an 8-7 lead. After playing two extra innings, the Patriots fell for the first time this season. Their record now sits at 10-1.

Tristan Carter reached as far as second base in the bottom of the eighth inning, but couldn’t reach home for the winning run. Instead, it was the Knights that took home the win after they scored what would be the winning run in the top of the ninth on a double to center field.

Chandler Golden got the start for the Patriots. Golden pitched five innings and allowed seven runs, three of which were earned on four hits and walk. Golden struck out five.

Drew Nelson came in to pitch the rest of the way for the Patriots. Nelson allowed two total runs, one of which was earned. Nelson allowed four hits and two walks.

Macon East jumped out to a comfortable 7-0 lead after scoring in each of the first six innings. The Knights scored two in the first, one in the second and two more in both the third and fourth innings.

The Patriots turned the tables in the fourth when they scored eight runs of their own to take a one-run lead. Golden helped out his cause with a bases-clearing double to right allowing Davis Allen, Levi Sikes and Jade Sikes to score. One batter later, Max Copeland drove in Golden with a single to center field.

The Knights allowed two runners to score by virtue of an error. Carter and Copeland scored on an error by the Knight shortstop to get the Patriots to within one at 7-6.

The Patriots took the lead a few batters later. Allen grounded out to second to allow Hollis to score and Javon Christian came around to score on an error by the Knight shortstop.

The Patriot lead was erased in the top of the fifth when the Knights evened the score at eight before ultimately winning the game in the ninth.

The Patriots finished with eight hits. Jade Sikes and Copeland both finished with two hits, while Allen, Levi Sikes, Golden and Trevor Barron all had one.

The Patriots will head to Glenwood on Thursday to participate in the Border Wars Tournament.