The Pike Liberal Arts softball team used huge first and second innings to easily dispatch of Crenshaw Christian Academy 16-5 in five innings on Monday in Troy.

After a six-run first inning and seven-run second inning, the Lady Patriots jetted out to a comfortable 13-0 lead over the Lady Cougars before sealing the deal with three innings in the fourth inning to put Crehsnaw away.

Bailey Rushing and Sam Yarbrough led Pike Liberal Arts with three RBIs each on one and three hits, respectively.

The Lady Patriots’ pitching and fielding was stout in the game, allowing Crenshaw just four hits.

Pike Liberal Arts scored early and often in the game, opening up a big lead from the outset.

Rushing reached home for the Lady Patriots’ first run in the game after Amanda Finlayson reached first on an error.

One batter later, Callee Jinright scored Yarbrough on a single, and Kayla Benton brought home Finlayson on the ensuing at-bat.

The Lady Patriots continued to pour in the runs in the second inning after several Crenshaw errors advanced Pike Liberal Arts’ baserunners on their way to a seven-run second.

Crenshaw did its best to chip away at the Pike Liberal Arts lead, going off for four runs in the top of the third inning and holding the Lady Patriots scoreless in the bottom of the third.

But in the bottom of the fourth, Pike Liberal Arts padded its lead even more, scoring three runs before allowing one Lady Cougar run in the top of the fifth.