For the first time in school history, the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots (23-5) are headed to a state championship game as a part of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) after sweeping the Reeltown Rebels (20-15)  in the Class 2A State Semifinals at home on Wednesday. 

In game one, Reeltown took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning and then Pike exploded to score nine straight runs, taking a commanding 9-1 lead into the fourth inning. After a lengthy weather delay, Reeltown turned things around. Reeltown scored two runs in the top of the fourth to cut Pike’s lead to 9-3. 

Pike added two more runs and took an 11-3 lead into the sixth inning. The Rebels rallied in the top of the sixth, scoring eight runs to tie the score 11-11, however. Neither team managed a run in the seventh, forcing extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth, facing two outs, Kade Brookins stole home to give Pike the walk-off win 12-11. 

Cole Garrott went 2-for-2 at the plate for Pike with an RBI and two runs, while Jackson Bowen went 2-for-3 with an RBI, three runs and two stolen bases. Garrett Whitaker went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a run. Both Jack Baggett and Kade Brookins collected two hits and scored one run each. Baggett also drove in one run. Pruitt Vaughan scored two runs. Pike batters were walked three times and seven batters were hit by pitches. 

Brookins got the start on the mound, striking out 10 batters and giving up four hits and four earned runs in five innings pitched. Luke Barron pitched two innings and fanned three batters, while giving up no hits or runs. 

In game two, Pike jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed as they finished off the series with a 10-4 victory. Pruitt Vaughan led PLAS at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and two runs. Dawson Bradford and Cole Garrott each drove in two runs, while Kade Brookins scored four runs and Garrett Whitaker scored three runs. Pike batters were walked a total of 10 times in game two.

Barron pitched five innings and fanned five batters, while giving up six hits and two earned runs. Braden Shirley also struck out a batter and gave up no hits and no earned runs in one and 2/3 of an inning. 

Pike Lib will play Vincent in the Class 2A State Championship in Oxford and Jacksonville next week. It’s Pike’s first appearance in a state championship since moving to the AHSAA and is the first state championship appearance of any kind since winning the AISA State Championship in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022.