Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots swept the JU Blacksher Bulldogs in the first round of the Class 2A State Baseball Playoffs on Friday.

Pike Lib beat Blacksher 5-1 in the first game of the series at home in Troy. John Lott led PLAS at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run, an RBI and two runs. Luke Barron went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs, while Cole Garrott went 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Kade Brookins pitched a complete game, striking out three batters and giving up just four hits and one earned run in seven innings on the mound.

Pike followed that up with a dominant 11-0 win in game two, securing the series win and advancing the Patriots to the second round of the playoffs. Barron went 3-for-5 at the plate in game two with a home run, four RBIs and two runs. Garrett Whitaker went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a double. Rhodes Baker also hit a homer in the win.

Will Rice earned the win on the mound, mowing down 11 batters and giving up two hits and no runs in five innings pitched. Dawson Bradford also struck out one batter and gave up no hits or runs in one inning pitched.

Pike moves on to face Cottonwood in the second round of the playoffs next week. Cottonwood swept Ranburne in the first round on Friday.