PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Baseball is a game often decided by big moments.

In game two of third-seeded University of Pikeville and No. 6-seed St. Catharine's Mid-South Conference Opening-Round series on Friday, it was the Bears' senior pitcher Logan Sales taking over a 2-2 game in the seventh inning and holding on for an extra-inning 3-2 win.

But in game three, with the series and a trip to Bowling Green on the line, it was St. Catharine first baseman Tyler Devine with the game-defining moment. Trailing 2-1 with two outs in the seventh, he scorched a bases-loaded double that hit just fair down the left-field line, scoring three runs to capture a 5-3 decision.

With the bullpen shorthanded from injuries, it just so happened to be the game-one hero Sales on the mound. Whether the ball landed fair or foul was argued, but there's no argument that Sales had a performance to remember in both games.

The senior threw a combined 6 2/3 innings, scattering seven hits for two runs with six strikeouts and only one walk. He took the decision in both games, wrapping up the season with an even 3-3 record.

While Sales stole the show in relief, UPIKE got two strong pitching performances from its starters.

Bryce Carden opened on the mound in the win, allowing just two runs on five hits with three strikeouts in six innings before back-to-back walks -- his only of the game -- forced a change in the seventh. Aaron Hedgecock went 5 2/3 innings in game two, scattering seven hits for one run with two strikeouts.

Anthony Roberts had the hot bat in game one, collecting three hits, including a double, to drive in two runs, while Erik Manning led the Bears at the plate in the nightcap, going 2 for 3 with an RBI, two walks and a run scored.

The Patriots grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning of the opener as Nicco Lollio led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly. UPIKE wouldn't answer until the fourth on an RBI double by Anthony Roberts.

UPIKE and St. Catharine (33-20) continued the back-and-forth battle in the fifth inning as they each scored a run, then the offenses stalled over the next four frames.

After going into extra innings, it was UPIKE that scored first in the 10th as Josh Bailey led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, got to third on Haen's sacrifice bunt and ultimately won the game scoring on Roberts' single to left field.

Game two was tied 1-1 heading into the fifth inning when Erik Manning hit an RBI single to right field to give UPIKE a 2-1 lead.

The advantage lasted until the seventh when three walked batters set up Devine for his three-run double. The Bears cut the deficit to one on Bailey's double in the eighth, but St. Catharine added an insurance run in the final inning and held on behind closer Jake McCoy picking up his ninth save of the season.

UPIKE finishes the season with a 25-23 record, giving it the most wins since tallying 28 in 2001. It was a season that started with a coaching change in August, but ended with Jim Pitt being named the MSC Coach of the Year in his first season.

After going 0-19 in conference play a year ago, the Bears now have something to build on after finishing tied for third in the league standings at 11-10 in MSC play.

Let the big moments continue to come.

-UPIKE-