The Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots (17-15) defeated the Zion Chapel Lady Rebels (15-14) in the Class 2A, Area 4 Championship on Tuesday. 

The tournament championship is Pike’s first since joining the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). Pike also won the regular season area championship, as well. 

The day started off with Zion Chapel besting Luverne by a score of 8-3 to advance to the championship round. Kaylee Hodge led ZCHS at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases, while Emily Rhodes went 2-for-4 with two runs. Sydney Boothe also hit a triple and drove in one run. Audrey Bassett, Riley Bannin, Sydney Boothe and Landry Hataway drove in one run each. 

Bannin pitched six innings and struck out four batters, while giving up seven hits and two earned runs. Shea Wambles tallied six putouts on defense with no fielding errors.

In the championship round of the double elimination tournament, Pike needed just one win to secure the area championship, while Zion Chapel had to beat Pike twice. Zion Chapel managed to beat Pike by a score of 10-4 to force a deciding game. Pike led 3-1 going into the bottom of the fourth when ZCHS exploded to score eight runs to take control of the contest. 

Wambles went 4-for-4 with two runs for the Lady Rebs, while Hataway went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run. Boothe went 2-for-4 with a run and Hodge went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. 

Boothe pitched all seven innings and fanned two batters, while giving up seven hits and two earned runs. Hataway tallied five putouts, while Wambles earned four. 

For Pike, Camryn Brown went 2-for-3 with a run, while Allie Booth and Sarah Strickland each drove in one run and scored one run. Haylie Brown also went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mary Holland Stephens struck out one batter and gave up 13 hits and seven earned runs in three and 1/3 innings in the circle. Yaley McLendon also gave up four hits and no earned runs in two and ⅔ innings pitched. 

In the championship game, Pike won by a score of 3-0 in an impressive pitching duel. Barron pitched all seven innings for Pike, striking out three batters and giving up just three hits and securing the shutout. Meanwhile, Bannin also pitched all seven innings and mowed down 10 batters, while giving up just four hits and no earned runs. The ZCHS defense, though, gave up three fielding errors. 

Camryn Brown led PLAS at the plate, going 2-for-3, while Shelly Stephens and Mary Holland Stephens each drove in a run. Shelly Stephens, Sarah Strickland and Barron scored one run each. 

For Zion Chapel, Bannin, Hodge and Emily Rhodes each collected a hit. Hathaway tallied five putouts on defense. 

Both PLAS and Zion Chapel will go on to play in the Class 2A Regional Tournament in Gulf Shores next week.