After finishing day one of the state tournament 1-1, the Pike Liberal Arts Junior Varsity Patriots won three games on Saturday to advance to the state championship final.

The Patriots began the day with a 5-1 win over Glenwood. They then picked up a 12-2 win over Escambia and a 12-8 win over Lee-Scott in the loser’s bracket final to send them to the championship.

The dream of winning the state championship came up short with a 12-1 loss to Edgewood Academy in the championship.

The Patriots allowed all 12 runs over the course of the first three innings. Edgewood scored four runs in the first, three runs in the second and five runs in the third.

The Patriots picked up one hit in the loss and it came off the bat of Landon Johnson, who doubled to right field and later came around to score on a groundout by Tre Holmes.

In the Patriot’s first win of the day against the Gators of Glenwood, Drew Nelson got the start and lasted three innings before Skylar Kidd went the rest of the way. KC Bradford led the way at the plate by finishing 2-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Nelson, Parker Adams and Cade Renfroe all had one hit.

Davis Kilcrease went the distance in game two against Escambia. Kilcrease pitched four innings and allowed two unearned runs, one earned on six hits. Kase Chirico went 2-2 at the plate with 2 RBI and a run scored.

Kidd got the start for the Patriots against the Warriors of Lee-Scott. Kidd went 4.1 innings and allowed eight total runs, five of which were earned on six hits. Holmes went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with one RBI and three runs scored.

The Lady Patriots were also represented in the state tournament. On Friday, the Lady Patriots knocked off Fort Dale 16-3 before falling to Clarke Prep 5-0 and Abbeville Christian 11-4.

In the Lady Patriot’s win over the Eagles, Ally Rushing got the start in the pitcher’s circle and lasted four innings, while giving up three runs, two of which were earned on five hits. Rushing led the Patriots at the plate by going 2-2 with 7 RBI.

Caroline Senn and Alyssa Barron picked up hits in game two on Friday and Rayliegh Carter led the Patriots at the plate against Abbeville Christian by going 2-3 with an RBI.