PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Brandi Jo Howard collected three hits, scored two runs, walked twice and stole four bases to lead the University of Pikeville softball team to 6-2 and 5-3 wins over West Virginia Tech on Wednesday at Paul Butcher field.
The Bears trailed just once on the day, falling behind 1-0 in the second inning of game one. UPIKE did all of its scoring in the next inning, driving in six runs on four hits with three errors by the Golden Bears. Third baseman Breana Pineda provided the fireworks in the inning, hitting a two-run home run to left field.
Game two was a little more comfortable for UPIKE as it scored five runs in the first three innings. West Virginia Tech rallied with three runs on three hits and the help of two Pikeville errors in the top of the fourth, but that was it for scoring in the game.
West Virginia Tech outhit UPIKE 7-5 in game two, but the Bears were able to get more done with the mistakes in the field by the Golden Bears.
Hawley Ill improved to 4-4 in the circle with the game-one win, allowing two unearned runs on six hits with two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. The game-two win went Lauren Barnes' way, moving to 4-2 overall after scattering five hits for three runs in four innings.
Sydney Morris picked up a save, throwing the final three innings of the nightcap, giving up just two hits and no runs.
Other top performances at the plate for UPIKE came from catcher Eady Beth Connally driving in two runs on a double and scoring two herself in game two, while right fielder Mackenzie Summers  drove in two runs on a hit in the game as well.
UPIKE is on the road Friday, taking on No. 12 Campbellsville at 2 p.m. ET in Campbellsville, Ky.
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