Box Score
BEREA, Ky. – The University of Pikeville baseball team was feeling good with an 8-1 lead after the fifth inning, but Berea (Ky.) scored five runs over the next two innings to make things interesting in a 9-6 Bears' win on Wednesday.

UPIKE (19-16) got four strong innings from starter Bryce Carden, scattering four hits for a run with seven strikeouts, but Joe Valentino grabbed the win after allowing three runs on four hits with five strikeouts in two innings of work.

Berea's Brandon Gonzales took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits before being replaced after three innings. The Mountaineers (15-13) used seven pitchers in the loss.

Shortstop Chaz Contreras paced Pikeville at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two stolen bases and three runs scored. Designated hitter Corey Adams and catcher Sean Ryan both added a pair of hits with one double each.

Berea led briefly 1-0 after the first inning but UPIKE poured on eight runs over the next four innings to take control of the game. Still in the ninth inning it was just a three-run lead and Berea got two on with just one out.

Reliever Michael Vaquera got out of the jam, throwing three innings to pick up the save. Pikeville is back in action at Noon ET on Saturday with a doubleheader against Campbellsville (Ky.) at Johnnie LeMaster Field.