On Wednesday, the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots head to Tuscaloosa to face off against the Tuscaloosa Academy Knights in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A State Playoffs. 

Pike Lib (18-14) is coming off back-to-back series sweeps in the first two rounds of the playoffs, against Geneva County and Horseshoe Bend. The Patriots have outscored their opponents 31-8 thus far in the playoffs. 

“I think the guys have played well,” PLAS Coach Will Austin said. “They seem to be doing the little things right; pitching, hitting and defense, and it’s a good time to be playing well.” 

In the series sweep over Horseshoe Bend last week, Luke Barron – who committed to play college baseball at Mobile this past weekend – went a combined 5-for-6 at the plate with four doubles, four RBIs and three runs. He also pitched three innings and fanned four batters, while giving up two hits and no earned runs. 

Kade Brookins also had a solid series for the Patriots, striking out three batters and giving up two hits and two earned runs in five innings pitched along with going 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of triples, four RBIs and two runs. 

In the playoffs, Barron holds a .090 ERA on the mound with seven strikeouts, while Brookins boasts a 3.75 ERA in the playoffs with 18 strikeouts, including 15 strikeouts in one game. Barron also holds a .500 batting average in the playoffs with a home run, five doubles, eight RBIs and four runs. 

Tuscaloosa Academy (15-19) swept their way through the first round against Loachapoka and then bested the two-time reigning State Champion Ariton Purple Cats in a hard-fought three-game series in the second round last week. 

“Coach (Lee) Evans does a great job with them,” Austin said of Tuscaloosa Academy. “They have a good program and it’s a good challenge for us.” 

For Tuscaloosa Academy, senior Ellis Hamiter has been a menace at the plate and on the mound during the playoffs. He comes into the quarterfinals with a .533 batting average with one home run, five doubles, 10 RBIs and eight runs. He’s also pitched a total of 10 innings with a .090 ERA and 12 strikeouts. 

Pike comes into the quarterfinals as the fresher team, having swept their way through the playoffs, while Tuscaloosa Academy may be more battle tested after winning a three-game series against the defending state champs. The Patriots, Austin says, will be ready to go the distance, however.

“They went three games with Ariton and that third game was a really good game that could have gone either way,” Austin continued. “We swept our first two rounds but I feel like our guys will be ready to go, whether it’s two or three games.” 

Austin says he’s preaching to his team the same things he’s been preaching all season.

“I’ve told the guys for the entire back half of the season that if we go out compete and play hard and love one another, the pieces will fall into place,” he said. “I’m just excited to see our guys go out and play.”
Pike and Tuscaloosa Academy play at 4 p.m. in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday with a game two following at 6:30 p.m. If a game three is necessary, it will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday.