Pikeville, KY – UPIKE baseball hung two in the win column on Wednesday afternoon, sweeping the double header with WVU Tech. The Bears edged the Golden Bears 3-2 in game one before going on to a 6-4 victory in game two.

Game 1

UPIKE hung two runs early in game one, clubbing four hits in the opening inning started by a single from Noah Helton. Tyler Freas stepped up with two outs and busted a line drive to center field, followed by a single from Maynard which scored Freas. Jairemy Pulido hammered a stand-up double to right field on the following at bat, scoring Maynard.

The Bears remained quiet until the fourth frame when Darius Bomer tagged a double to right field, scoring on the following at-bat via a single from Trae McLemore.

UPIKE held a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the third frame when the Golden Bears made a late run that almost saw them tie the game on a two-RBI double that was called back because of a substitution error. Ty Crall entered a big moment with the bases loaded, no outs, and the go-ahead run on first base in the final inning. Crall drew a sac fly, and allowed a single but a laser throw from Bomer in left found the glove of Swails who laid a great tag on the runner sliding into home for the final out.

Texas native Ethan Cernohaus picked up the win after delivering four shut-out innings not allowing a single hit and striking out two. Ty Crall's performance in the final inning earned him the save.

Game 2

The sun beamed on Johnnie LeMaster as the teams geared up for game two, with Braxton Ratliff getting the call on the bump for the Bears. UPIKE would hang their first runs in the bottom of the third inning by way of Jared Kirkman and Helton. Kirkman drew a four pitch walk to begin the inning before Helton took one on the elbow, putting runners on first and second for coach Hamilton's squad. Kirkman stole third, scoring on the very next pitch on an RBI crack to straightaway center from Freas. Tyler Maynard put a hard grounder to the third baseman which scored Helton from third to put the Bears up 2-0.

WVU Tech came alive late once again, this time plating three in the fifth inning on three hits and an error by the Bears. UPIKE answered in a big way, crossing four in the bottom of the frame in one of their best offensive innings at home this season. Helton opened with a single before two straight outs put Maynard up to the plate with a pair down and a runner on second. Maynard slugged a two run blast over the left center field fence on the first pitch to make it 4-3 UPIKE. Bomer followed up with a single before John McKenzie stepped up and delivered another hit to left field. A passed ball would score both Bomer and Mckenzie as the Bears were in charge.

In the final inning of the contest, the Golden Bears began to heat up once again, loading the bases which prompted Hamilton to put Ty Crall once again. Crall worked his magic again, allowing just a single hit which scored a run before drawing a fly out notching a backwards K to seal the win.

The Bears get back to work this weekend against the Saints of Thomas More starting with a nine-inning game on Friday slated for 2PM. This weekend's home series will also feature a special dedication to the man himself, Johnnie LeMaster prior to Saturday's game at 11am.