PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Down 5-1 through five innings, the outlook was looking bleak for the University of Pikeville baseball team against Tennessee Temple. But with a little late-inning good fortune and a game-winning double from Erik Manning, the Bears were able to get past the Crusaders 7-6 in 10 innings.
The comeback started with two outs in the bottom of the sixth when outfielder Connor Osborne was walked, moved to second on a passed ball, stole third and ultimately came home on an error at third.
Mistakes continued to hurt Tennessee Temple in the seventh as catcher Cody Chagnon was hit to lead off the inning, allowing his courtesy runner Scott Whitaker to move to third on a sacrifice bunt before making it a 5-3 game on second baseman Patrick Schoss' sacrifice fly.
The Crusaders (15-8) nearly put the game away in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and a two-run lead, but when Caleb Lee threw the ball away at short trying to make a fielder's choice putout at second, it gave the Bears new life with runners on second and third.
Osborne came through in a big way, hitting a single to shallow left that scored them both and send the game into extra innings.
Tennessee Temple, ranked No. 1 in the USCAA, wasted no time going back on top with a single run in the top of the 10th, but UPIKE (15-18) wasn't done making big plays either.
Mike Peluffo led off for the Bears with a double to deep, left center, then after a fly out, first baseman Nicolas Gonzales was hit by a pitch. After recording the second out with a shallow pop out in the infield, Manning came through with his game-winning double that went deep enough to bring home both runners for the win.
UPIKE reliever Cody Clark picked up the win in his first decision of the season after allowing a run on two hits in one inning of work off the mound. Micah Wyatt took the loss after scattering six hits for five runs in four innings.
Centerfielder Josh Bailey paced the Bears with three hits, while Manning, Schloss and Osborne added two each. Bailey, Peluffo, Schloss and Manning all hit doubles and shortstop Jacob DiThomas finished with two stolen bases.
The Bears are back in action at Noon ET on Saturday with a doubleheader against Mid-South Conference foe St. Catharine.
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