PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – The University of Pikeville softball team was swept in a doubleheader on Tuesday, falling to Shawnee State University 2-1 and 5-0.
 
The losses dropped the Bears to 15-29 overall and 3-17 in the Mid-South Conference.
 
In the opener, SSU scored in the bottom of the first when leadoff batter Jourdan Priddy reached on an error and scored when cleanup hitter Kirsti Yates singled her in.
 
The Bears evened the count in the top of the second when starting catcher Sierra Kiser singled and moved to second on an error. She scored on a double to left by freshman Brandi Jo Howard doubled to left.
 
It stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh when the hosts pushed across the winning run. The rally began with a two-out single by No. 8 hitter Nikki Nance, who scored on a triple by Kelsey Jenkins. It was the second hit of the game for Jenkins.
 
They were two of only five allowed by junior pitcher Kayla Morgan, who went the distance in the circle for UPIKE.
 
The two hits Pikeville used to score were only joined by a single by freshman Sarah Williams.
 
It was more of the same in the second game, as Kiser and sophomore Emily Castle had singles for the only hits in the shutout loss.
 
Shawnee State scored what would prove to be the only run it needed in the bottom of the first, but tacked on four insurance runs in the fifth for the win.
 
The Bears will be back in action on Thursday when they visit Asbury. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. Senior Day will be Saturday as the Bears play host to Rio Grande at noon.
 
 
-UPIKE-