The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots (16-14) move on to the second round of the Class 2A State Playoffs after sweeping the Geneva County Bulldogs in Class 2A’s First Round at home on Friday.

Pike Lib took game one by a score of 7-3 after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. For PLAS, Garrett Whitaker went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs. Dawson Bradford also went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and two runs. Luke Barron hit a two-run home run and Jack Bagget also drove in two runs and collected a pair of hits. Kade Broookins pitched a complete game and struck out an eye-popping 15 batters, while giving up five hits and three earned runs.

For Geneva County, Braxton Thames went 2-for-4 and JD Shepard drove in three runs. Dylan Tate pitched four and 1/3 innings and gave up six hits and six earned runs.

Pike Lib secured the series sweep with a 9-1 victory in game two. After Geneva County took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, PLAS scored nine unanswered runs.

Baggett went 2-for-4 with a homer, four RBIs and one run. Cole Garrott hit a triple and both Brookins and Jackson Bowen collected doubles. Barron drove in two runs. Bowen, Brookins and Pruitt Vaughan each stole two bases. Barron pitched all seven innings and fanned three batters, while giving up three hits and one earned run.

For GCHS, Caden Hutchings hit a solo home run. He also pitched six innings and struck out eight batters, while giving up four hits and two earned runs.

Pike Lib moves on to the second round next week to face Horseshoe Bend, who swept Highland Home.