PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Rio Grande ended the regular season for the University of Pikeville with a sweep on Senior Day.
 
The Red Storm knocked off the Bears 9-8 and 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.
 
In the opener of the doubleheader, Rio scored five times in the top of the seventh to erase a four-run deficit for the win.
 
Trailing 2-0, the Bears scored four in the bottom of the third to take the lead. Hannah Vinson singled to score Brandi Jo Howard, and when senior Mallory George singled in Vinson and junior Kayla Morgan, the Bears led 3-2. The lead was stretched to 4-2 when sophomore Emily Castle stole home on the back half of a double steal.
 
Rio added single runs in the fourth and fifth before the Bears got them back on a two-run single by freshman Sierra Kiser in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-4. The Bears stretched the lead to 8-4 in the sixth when Morgan singled in Shamy Williams and then scored on a double by Vinson.
 
Vinson's four hits led the Bears offensively. She drove in two and scored two. Morgan had three hits, two runs and an RBI. Kiser had two safeties, while Williams, Castle and George added a hit each.
 
Morgan went 6-2/3, allowing eight runs, five of which were earned. She struck out five.
 
All the runs in the second game came in the fourth inning. After Rio scored four in the top half, the Bears scored in the bottom half when Howard tripled and scored on a hit by Williams.
 
Each had two hits for the Bears, who also got hits from Vinson, Kiser and senior Ashleigh Stanley.
 
Junior Courtney Patrick threw five innings for the Bears striking out four and giving up all four runs. Junior Emily Poynter threw the final two, recording two strikeouts.
 
 
-UPIKE-