The Pike Liberal Arts softball team battled back from an early 6-1 deficit Thursday to defeat Region 2 opponent Hooper 9-6.

After jumping ahead 1-0 in the top of the second inning, Hooper responded, scoring five in the bottom of the inning to take a commanding 5-1 lead over the Lady Patriots.

And after adding another run in the bottom of the third, the Lady Colts took their biggest lead of the game at 6-1.

But in the final four innings, the Lady Patriots scored eight unanswered runs to complete the comeback.

Sam Yarbrough hit two home runs in the game, her first and second of the year, in the top of the second to give Pike Liberal Arts its first lead of the game and in the top of the fourth to narrow the Hooper lead to 6-2.

Kayla Benton hit the game’s only triple and both Amberlyn Baker and Bailey Rushing hit doubles for Pike Liberal Arts.