PIPPA PASSES, Ky. -- Megan Claypoole's collegiate debut was a good one, collecting four hits with a home run at the plate and pitching a no hitter, to help the University of Pikeville softball team to a 7-0 and 17-0 doubleheader sweep of Alice Lloyd in the season openers for both teams.

There were concerns over playing conditions being ready, but there was no rain on the freshman from Flemingsurg's parade. Claypoole went a combined 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs and three runs scored while also drawing a pair of walks. In the run-rule shortened 17-0 win, Claypoole struck out eight batters while not allowing a hit. A single wild pitch was the only flaw on the day.

Hannah Skaggs was nearly as good in the circle in the opener, allowing just one hit while striking out seven in a complete seven innings of work as both pitchers tallied shutout wins on opening day.

Other leaders at the plate in game one for UPIKE were Hannah Absher driving in three runs on a single and groundout and Chandler Kelley and Lee Collier both going 2-for-3 with doubles.

Absher joined Claypoole with a home run in game two, adding three more RBIs to her day, Kitty Raymond went 3-for-4 with a double, Kelly added two hits and drew a walk and Haley Osborne roped the game's only triple on her lone hit.

Alice Lloyd's one hit was tallied by McKenzie Brewer, while Caitlynn Wyatt and Morgan Albury took the pitching losses. Wyatt allowed seven runs on 10 hits with one strikeout and Albury gave up 13 earned runs on 15 hits with four strikeouts.

UPIKE had a slow and steady attack in game one, scoring two runs in the first inning, one in the third and two more in the fourth. The Bears finished things off with single-run innings in the sixth and seventh. Game two was more of a spring as UPIKE had 15 runs across the plate in the first three frames alone.

UP NEXT

The Bears head south to face Coastal Georgia in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. ET on Friday in Hardeeville, S.C.

-UPIKE-