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Troy Today
By the People, for the People
Charles Henderson tops Pike Lib in first-ever baseball matchup
The 25th Annual Terry Sikes Memorial Baseball Tournament featured the historic first meeting between the two schools.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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In the late-night finale of the Terry Sikes Memorial Baseball Tournament, Charles Henderson High School edged out Pike Liberal Arts 6-5 in the first-ever baseball matchup between the two schools. The game, which was delayed due to scheduling conflicts, featured a back-and-forth battle with Charles Henderson taking the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning.
Why it matters
This game marked a historic first-time meeting between the Charles Henderson Trojans and Pike Liberal Arts Patriots baseball programs, two schools with long athletic traditions in the Troy, Alabama area. The close, competitive nature of the game highlighted the growing rivalry between the two schools and the significance of this inaugural matchup.
The details
Charles Henderson took an early 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but Pike Lib tied it up 3-3 in the top of the third. The Trojans then regained the lead 5-3 in the bottom of the third on an RBI double and a wild pitch that scored two more runs. Pike Lib cut the deficit to 6-5, but Charles Henderson held on for the narrow victory as Kellen Stewart struck out the final two batters.
- The game was played on February 28, 2026.
- The game took place late into the night and early morning hours, as it was the final matchup of the 25th Annual Terry Sikes Memorial Baseball Tournament.
The players
Charles Henderson High School
A high school in Troy, Alabama with a long history of athletic success, including in baseball.
Pike Liberal Arts Patriots
The athletic program of Pike Liberal Arts School, a private school in Troy, Alabama that has developed a rivalry with Charles Henderson High School.
Kellen Stewart
The Charles Henderson pitcher who struck out the final two batters to secure the victory.
Jackson Bowen
A Pike Liberal Arts player who scored the team's first run in the top of the first inning.
Wes Templin
A Charles Henderson player who hit an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game 1-1.
What they’re saying
“This game marked a historic first-time meeting between the Charles Henderson Trojans and Pike Liberal Arts Patriots baseball programs, two schools with long athletic traditions in the Troy, Alabama area.”
— Dan Smith (troymessenger.com)
What’s next
The two schools will likely continue to schedule future matchups, building a new local rivalry in high school baseball.
The takeaway
The close, competitive nature of this first-ever meeting between Charles Henderson and Pike Liberal Arts demonstrated the growing athletic rivalry between the two Troy, Alabama high school programs and the significance of this historic inaugural baseball game.
