The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots (18-14) hit the road on April 24 and throttled the Horseshoe Bend Generals in a two-game sweep to advance to the quarterfinals of the Class 2A State Playoffs. 

Pike outscored Horseshoe Bend 28-4 in two games, run-ruling the Generals in both contests. In game one, PLAS scored 10 runs in the first inning and never looked back.

Luke Barron led Pike at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three doubles, four RBIs and three runs. Garrett Whitaker went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs, while Pruitt Vaughan went 2-for-4 with two runs. Both Jack Baggett and Cole Garrott drove in two runs each. Kade Brookins pitched five innings and struck out three batters, while giving up two hits and two earned runs. 

Game two was much of the same. Pike scored six runs in the first inning, five in the second and three in the third, while giving up just two hits in five innings of play. 

Vaughan went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run for the Patriots, while Whitaker went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and two runs. Brookins went 2-for-2 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs. Dawson Bradford scored three runs, while Baggett drove in two runs and Garrott drove in three. Barron pitched three innings and struck out four batters, while giving up two hits and no earned runs. Braden Shirley and Garrott each struck out a pair of batters in one inning on the mound. 

Pike advances to the quarterfinals of the state tournament where the Patriots will play the winner of Ariton and Tuscaloosa Academy’s series.