CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -- No. 7 Campbellsville became the highest ranked opponent that the University of Pikeville softball team has beaten in recorded history on Thursday as the Bears won game two against the Tigers 4-2.
The win secured a split with the Mid-South Conference leaders as Campbellsville took the opener 12-1 in five innings. Pikeville's previous highest-ranked win was a 4-3 triumph over then-No. 16 Lindsey Wilson on April 21, 2013.
UPIKE moves to 19-17 overall and 11-13 in MSC play, strengthening its hold on the No. 4 seed in the upcoming conference championship on April 30-May 2 in Bowling Green, Ky. Campbellsville is now 31-6 overall and 22-2 in league play.
The only other MSC team to top Campbellsville this season was then-No. 2 Lindsey Wilson on March 22 by a 5-3 score.
A well-executed third inning helped UPIKE get one of its best wins as it scored three runs on three hits with smart base running and timely hits. Right fielder Sydney Beckelhymer and centerfielder Brandi Jo Howard led off with back-to-back singles before catcher Kayla Brown moved them over with a sacrifice bunt.
Beckelhymer came home on a fielder's choice hit by Eady Beth Connally and Howard hustled home after a pop out in foul territory. Connally, who had made it all the way to third on the previous action, scored the final run of the inning on an RBI single from second baseman Hollie Hinkle.
UPIKE added a run to its lead to go up 4-0 in the next inning when Brown's single to left field brought home first baseman Haley Jo Patton who had reached on another fielder's choice.
From there it was up to starter Sydney Morris to help the Bears hold on to the lead.
She ended up throwing all seven innings, ultimately allowing just two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Campbellsville's two runs were scored in the fourth and fifth innings on solo home runs by centerfielder Kristin Benton and shortstop Jacqueline Roof.
Neely Quint took the loss for the Tigers after allowing four runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and a walk.
In game one, UPIKE had no answer for Tiger pitcher Victoria Decker and her defense which allowed just one run on two hits with only four strikeouts. Campbellsville outhit the Bears in that one 9-2 and scored seven runs in the fifth inning, including a leadoff homer by catcher Markie Smith to bring the game to an early close.
Pikeville didn't score until the top of the fifth when Brown crossed the plate after a wild throw from Erin Benton to make it 5-1. But seven runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame were too much for UPIKE to overcome.
Bear starter Lauren Barnes took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings. Howard has the best performance from the plate in the loss, going 2 for 3.
Â
