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Callaway lost its opening game of the playoffs on Thursday, falling to region foe Pike County 9-4 leaving the Cavaliers facing elimination in game two. 

In a strange twist of fate, the two Region 2-2A teams face off in the first round of the state playoffs after matching up three times during the regular season. 

The Cavaliers drew first blood in the top of the first inning. Savannah Rice got the Cavaliers on the board with a one-run single. Callaway left runners stranded on first and second as the team could not extend its lead. 

That is where the game would stay until the bottom of the third. Callaway got two quick outs to start the inning, but back-to-back doubles tied the game before a two-run homer gave the Pirates their first lead of the game.

The Cavaliers had a chance to extend their lead in the second inning, but left runners stranded on first and third and were made to pay that following inning for all the runners left on base early in the contest. 

The Pirates completely broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring five runs to take a commanding 9-1 lead.

The Cavaliers eventually got on the board again with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Ella Kelly hit a one-run double before Rice hit a two-run double to cut the Pirate lead to five runs.

Mackenzie Toney got the start in the circle and pitched 3 ⅓ innings for the Cavaliers. Layla Elkins pitched in relief of Toney, throwing the final 2 and ⅓ innings, not allowing a single hit which allowed Callaway to attempt a late rally even if it fell short. 

Rice led the Callaway offense, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Kelly and Madison Kemp also had two hits apiece while Kaitlyn Williams finished with one. 

Callaway is now 0-4 against the Pirates this season. The Cavaliers will play Pike County in game two at 6:45 p.m. with their season on the line. If Callaway wins game two, game three will be on Thursday at 4 p.m. back at Pike County.