Oak Mountain rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the nightcap of a first-round playoff series at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Friday, but failed to close the deal, falling in the eighth inning, 7-6. The loss completed a doubleheader sweep by the Patriots (26-17), who will advance to play Hoover in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs April 24.

Cary Baxter and Jake Gayle started the two games on the mound for Oak Mountain, but neither recorded a decision. Baxter carried the lead through fourth, entering the fifth with a 6-1 lead. But Hillcrest tied the game with a five-run fifth inning and took the lead in the sixth off Eagles’ reliever Jake Hubbard.

In the nightcap, Gayle lasted only two innings on the mound, as the Patriots jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The Eagles rallied to score four runs in the fifth, trailing 6-1, to pull within a run, 6-5. The Eagles managed to tie the game in the sixth and looked to win the game in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out. However, a two-strike bunt foul and pop fly ended the inning.

In the top of the eighth, HIllcrest outfielder Cameron Carlisle reached on a single and was replaced by pinch runner Will Tinsley, who stole second and later scored on sacrifice fly to center to score the eventual winning run.

Oak Mountain ends its season at 16-12.