The Pike Liberal Arts varsity softball team took an early lead on Tuesday evening and knocked off Lakeside 5-1 in Troy.

The win for the Lady Patriots improves their record on the season to 12-7.

Morgan Bundy got the start and went the distance, pitching all seven innings in the win. Bundy let up one unearned run on two hits, while striking out 11 batters.

The Patriots scored the first three runs of the contest beginning in the third when Avery Henderson singled to left to drive in Bundy. The Patriots stretched their lead to 3-0 in the third. Ally Rushing grounded out to second base, which allowed Ansley Adams to score. Maddi Johnson drove in the Patriots third run of the game on a single to center.

After Lakeside got on the board in the top half of the fifth inning, the Patriots squashed any comeback attempt when they scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a single by Johnson.

The Patriots finished with eight hits. Johnson and Rushing both finished with two hits, while Bundy, Henderson, Grace Rushing and Aubreigh Maulden each had one.

The Lady Patriots will be back in action on Thursday when they travel to take part in the Macon East Tournament.