Catch this story and more in the new addition of The Catch, available now! 

The Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots are headed into their second year under head coach Tori Sanchez with a still young but hungry group of athletes. 

Sanchez was pleased with the way her team played and learned in the offseason.

“It’s gone really well even though we’re behind because some of the weather,” she said. “The girls are eager to get out here and are motivated and have a reason to be back out here.” 

Pike returns veteran seniors like infielder/pitcher Alissa Barron, outfielder Haylie Brown and outfielder Joy Schwarte. 

“We’re looking to lean on our seniors this year,” said Sanchez. “Last year they got a taste of my expectations and things like that and I think we’ve kind of developed a culture together and they’ll lead this program to where it needs to go.”

Barron earned All-Messenger honors last season after boasting a .310 batting average with six doubles, 18 RBIs and 12 runs. She also pitched 68 innings and struck out 54 batters with a 3.80 ERA. Brown signed a scholarship to play softball at Wallace Community College in Dothan earlier this year, as well. In 2024, she boasted a .369 batting average with a .414 on-base percentage and .554 slugging percentage. She also tallied five doubles, two triples, a homer, 19 RBIs and 20 runs. Defensively, she held a .784 fielding percentage with 26 putouts, three assists and three double plays. 

“I think the biggest thing we’re working on right now is our communication,” said Sanchez. “We’re a quiet team. So, just being a little more vocal on the field is big.” 

Sanchez is a solid person for her players to learn about being a leader from as she was a record-breaking pitcher at Luverne High School and St. John’s University. Sanchez earned All-State honors at Luverne and went on to break St. John’s career strikeouts and career appearances record. 

The Lady Patriots are looking to earn their first area crown since moving to the Alabama High School Athletics Association. 

“Our goal is to win the area to start with,” Sanchez flatly said. “Once we win area, it’s to compete at regionals and hopefully make it to state and win a state title.” 

The Lady Patriots will be in Class 2A, Area 4 this season alongside Goshen, Luverne and Zion Chapel. PLAS opens the season on Feb. 18 at home against Ariton before traveling to Class 1A standout Kinston on Feb. 20 and returning home on Feb. 25 against GW Long to close out the month. 

Pike returns to the field at home against Kinston March 4 and then hosts Goshen on March 6 before traveling to face perennial Class 1A power Brantley on March 10. PLAS hits the road for back-to-back games against Luverne on March 13 and Goshen on March 27 before closing the month out at home against Class 5A Eufaula. 

April opens against Lee-Scott at home on April 1 before traveling to Zion Chapel on April 3 and then rematching the Lady Rebels on April 8 at home. Pike hosts Luverne on Feb. 10 and travels to Lee-Scott on April 15. Pike will wrap up the regular season with a road game against GW Long on April 17 and a home rematch against Brantley on April 22.