Sports Editor

The Pike Liberal Arts School softball team got 10 runs off eight hits in the first inning against visiting Fort Dale and eventually downed the Lady Eagles 17-0 in three innings on Monday afternoon.

Malerie Sanders drove home Anna Fannin with a single to kick off the scoring for Pike, while Miranda Paul and Amanda Hayes each followed with RBI basehits and Lindy Lunkenheimer added a two-run scoring, inside-the-park homer.

Haley Gentry, Beth Anderson and Mallory Hughes were all walked and Fannin started off the top of the order with a two RBI single. Sanders doubled in two runs and Paul scored a runner, also with a double, but was called out trying for third base.

The Lady Patriots added an additional seven runs in the second inning as Flowers, Fannin and Lunkenheimer all drove in base runners with hits and two PLAS runs scored on error.

Whitney Johnson earned the win for Pike.

Fort Dale won the ensuing scrimmage contest, taking advantage of Pike’s second-string unit to win 10-8 in five innings.

The Lady Patriots built a 2-0 lead going into the top of the third before Pike starting pitcher Hope Garrett got into a bases loaded jam, giving up four Fort Dale runs in the inning.

PLAS fought back to tie the game at 4-4, but FDA’s Stephanie Townes came home on a pass ball following a triple and Heather Wyatt scored a run with an infield hit. Fort Dale added three more runs in the inning and went up 9-4.

In baseball, the Patriots defeated Fort Dale 12-2 in five innings to win their 11th game of the season. PLAS is now 11-3 overall.

Druid Conrad led all Pike batters, going 4-for-4, with two singles and a two doubles. Layton Sanders added a double and a home run. Wes Johnson and Luke Sanders were both 2-for-4, while Brady Dunn, Drew Kilpatrick and Brandon Hooks each had hits as well for the Patriots.

Both the Pike Lib softball and baseball teams return to action on Tuesday against Hooper Academy at Hope Hull.