For the first time since moving to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), the Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots are regular season area champions. 

On Monday, April 14, Pike Lib (13-12) split a doubleheader with Class 5A’s Headland Lady Rams. In game one, Pike won by a score of 3-2. Haylie Brown went 2-for-2 at the plate for PLAS with a double, an RBI and a run, while Shelly Stephens drove in one run and both Alissa Barron and Sarah Strickland scored one run each. Yaley McLendon pitched five innings and struck out two batters, while giving up two hits and two earned runs. 

In game two, Headland rebounded to win 13-5. Mary Holland Stephens went 2-for-3 with a double, while Shelly Stephens hit a grand slam home run. Julianne Meyer also went 2-for-3 and CK Smith went 2-for-3 with a run. Barron pitched five innings and struck out two batters along with giving up 14 hits and seven earned runs. 

Also on Monday, the Zion Chapel Lady Rebels (11-11) lost by a score of 3-1 to Luverne in a Class 2A, Area 4 game, which secured the regular season area championship for Pike Lib. 

For ZCHS, Riley Bannin went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Alyssa Forehand went 2-for-2 with a double and a run. Sydney Boothe pitched six innings and fanned seven batters, while giving up three hits and two earned runs. 

With the results of the doubleheader, Pike is above .500 on the season, and with Zion Chapel’s area loss, it secures the first regular season area championship since PLAS made the move to AHSAA. 

In other softball action, the Charles Henderson Lady Trojans (7-18) lost 10-7 to Eufaula in a non-area game. CHHS led 5-2 going into the third inning but Eufaula scored five runs in the top of the third and never looked back. 

Ava Stone led CHHS at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, while Janazia Cantlow went 2-for-3 with two runs and three stolen bases. Camille Lewis pitched five and 1/3 innings and struck out five batters along with giving up 11 hits and three earned runs. Keirstin Gamble tallied six putouts and one assist with no errors on defense. 

The Pike County Lady Bulldogs (4-18) beat the Straughn Lady Tigers by a score of 9-4 in a Class 4A, Area 4 game on Monday. Abigail Griffin went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, two runs and two stolen bases. Taylor Trawick went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and one run. Hailey Griffin also hit a double and scored two runs. Trawick pitched seven innings and fanned four batters, while giving up 10 hits and three earned runs.