PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Georgetown's Kayla Williams threw a perfect game for a 9-0 win in the opener, but the University of Pikeville softball team bounced back in game two for a 7-3 win to get the split with the Tigers in the opening Mid-South Conference action of the season.

Sydney Morris (3-3) kept the Bears close from the circle in the opener, giving up just two runs through the first four innings. But the Tigers gave Williams (2-0) some more support in the fifth with a five-run top of the inning. Hawley Ill (2-2) earned the win for UPIKE in game two after scattering 11 hits for three runs with three strikeouts.

The Bears (7-5, 1-1 MSC) were outhit by the Tigers (2-2, 1-1 MSC) 11-9 in game two, but it was a welcome sight from the inability to get to Williams. Ill, third baseman Breana Pineda and catcher Eady Beth Connally paced UPIKE in the middle of the lineup with two hits each, combining for five RBIs.

Georgetown 9, UPIKE 0

Williams' final line included eight strikeouts with no walks and no hits allowed, facing 21 batters over seven innings of work.

Georgetown was sparked at the plate by second baseman Shelby Engle and third baseman Cassidy Taylor, who teamed up for eight hits and seven RBIs.

Morris lasted five innings, exiting the game after the Tigers added three runs to their 2-0 lead in the fifth. Morris walked two and struck out seven.

With what would be a perfect game going from the circle, Georgetown went up for good in the first inning, scoring two runs on two doubles.

The catalyst to the Tigers' big fifth, was a three-run home run by Engle, scoring Williams and right fielder Katie Young.

UPIKE 7, Georgetown 3

Both teams had scoring chances in the finale, but it was the Bears that were able to capitalize on them, pulling out a 7-3 win as Georgetown stranded seven runners on base.

Ill put herself in scoring position with two extra-base hits for the Bears. She doubled in the third inning and tripled in the fourth. UPIKE's spark came from Connally and Ill, who teamed up for six hits and five RBIs.

Jessica Claxton couldn't get it done in the circle for Georgetown, taking a loss to drop to 0-3 on the season. She lasted just 2 1/3 innings, walked two, struck out three and allowed four runs.

In the top of the first, Georgetown grabbed an early 2-0 lead. Designated player Chaselyn Allgeier got things going for it with a single, then Taylor singled, bringing home left fielder Emily Snow. The Tigers added another run when Engle scored on a groundout by centerfielder Sandy Young.

UPIKE went ahead with four runs in the third inning and never surrendered the lead. The Bears scored on an RBI double by Ill and an single by Connally.

The Bears added to their lead with two runs in the fourth as Ill tripled, plating centerfielder Brandi Jo Howard to start the inning. That score was followed up by Breana Pineda's hit to bring home Ill.

After pushing across a single run in the top of the seventh, Georgetown faced a four-run deficit. An RBI double by Engle gave Georgetown life, but ultimately Ill got Young to ground out to end the game.

UPIKE is back in action against Georgetown with another doubleheader at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Paul Butcher Field.
 

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