The Pike Patriots fell to Crenshaw Christian 9-5 in five innings in the opening round of the Macon East Tournament on Friday morning.

The loss sends the Patriots into the loser’s bracket where they will play the loser of Clarke Prep and Lowndes on Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The loss for the Patriots drops them to 13-4 on the season.

A six-run third inning for Macon East was the difference on Friday morning. The Patriots scored the games first two runs, but were outscored 9-3 the rest of the way.

The Patriots sent three pitchers to the mound against Macon East. Javon Christian got the start and pitched the game’s first inning. He allowed one unearned run on one hit. Tripp Spivey entered the game in the second and left with one out in the third. He allowed six total runs, four of which were earned on four hits and three walks. Clay Barron pitched the remaining 1.2 innings. Barron allowed two runs on three hits.

The Patriots scored two runs in the opening of play. Davis Allen singled to right to score Cody Hollis from second base. Max Copeland followed up with a single of his own to score Scott Taylor Renfroe.

The Knights scored the next seven points over the next two innings including six runs in the third to take a 7-2 lead. The Patriots allowed four hits and committed two of their three errors in the inning.

The Patriots cut into their deficit in the fourth when Allen walked with the bases loaded to bring in Tristan Carter, bringing the score to 7-3.

The Knights got the run back and then added to their lead with two more in the fourth to push their lead to 9-3.

The Patriots scored two runs in the seventh. Marx Copeland singled in Levi Sikes and Jade Sikes followed up with a double to right to bring in Carter.

The Patriots finished with six hits by Hollis, Allen, Copeland, Marx Copeland and Jade Sikes finished with two.