WALESKA, Ga. -- After falling 10-1 in six innings in the opener against Reinhardt, the University of Pikeville softball team bounced back with an 8-2 lead in the fourth inning of game two. But the split hit a snag as the Eagles scored seven runs over the next three innings to edge the Bears 9-8 on Saturday.

With the losses, UPIKE drops to an even 3-3 on the season, while Reinhardt improves to 8-4.

Game One

With plenty of run support from her offense, Madison Luck got the win in the circle for Reinhardt in the opener. The junior gave up just one run over six innings of work with three strikeouts, three walks and three hits allowed.

Reinhardt was led at the plate by catcher Randi Wimpy and shortstop Micalah Sacre, who combined for five hits and five RBIs, including a sixth-inning three-run blast from Sacre that brought the game to an early, run-rule close.

Lindsay Floyd took the loss for UPIKE after scattering eight hits for 10 runs with two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

UPIKE scored its lone run of the game in the second inning when first baseman Courtney Morgan doubled, moved to third on a walk, then eventually scored on a wild throw by Wimpy from behind the plate.

Reinhardt took the lead for good in the second inning, scoring three runs on a groundout by Hannah McKinley and a two-run single from Taylor Weeks.

The Eagles tacked on four more runs in the fifth as the first score came after a UPIKE error, followed by Sydney Flowers roping a two-run double.

Game Two

A late-game rally from Reinhardt turned a six-run UPIKE lead in the fourth inning into a 9-8 Eagle win in game two.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first three innings, the Bears got hot in the fourth with eight runs, giving them a six-run cushion heading into the fifth. But Reinhardt had other plans, slowly chopping away at the deficit with a run in the fifth, five more in the sixth and the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

UPIKE centerfielder Amber Murrell was a bright spot at the plate, going 3-4 with a double and two runs batted in. She singled in the second and fourth innings and doubled in the fourth..

Alexandra Quill started in the circle for the Bears and pitched well, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts before leaving the game in the sixth inning. Lauren Barnes took over, but didn't record an out as the Eagles struck for five runs to tie the game at 8-8.

An RBI single by Maddie Evans that scored Wimpy provided the tying run, while the winning run was plated by Wimpy with a shallow single to left field.

Although she only pitched an inning and a third, Floyd took her second loss of the day after taking over a tied game in the sixth inning.

Up Next

UPIKE travels to Barbourville, Ky., to take on Union for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

-UPIKE-