PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Pikeville couldn't pick up a timely hit when it needed it en route to a 5-1 loss to Thomas More University on Friday afternoon.  

In the nightcap, play was suspended in the middle of the second inning due to lightning and subsequent rain. It will resume on Saturday at noon at Paul Butcher Field.  

UPIKE (14-17, 3-13 in the Mid-South Conference) left nine on base in the game, including six in the first three innings.  

The most painful of those was the third. Trailing 2-0, the Bears loaded the bases with none out. Second baseman Sophie Kluesner led off with a single and moved to third on a double by left fielder Sam Case. First baseman Haleigh Jones walked to load the bases.  

From there, however, a strikeout, a fielder's choice and a ground out ended the frame with no runs scored.  

Trailing 5-0, the Bears did manage to score in the bottom of the seventh. Jones had a two-out single and scored from first on a double into the gap in right-center off the bat of designated player Alyssa Franklin.  

Franklin had two of the Bears' six hits in the loss. Both hits were doubles. Case doubled, while Kluesner, Jones and Zoe Ingram added singles.  

The Saints had nine hits in the win. Left fielder Sophia Thoma had two hits, including a triple, designated player Becca Bowen had a single and double and centerfielder Kaylee Beal had two singles.  

C.J. Alincic (6-9) pitched all seven innings for the Bears. She allowed 11 hits and three earned runs while striking out four and walking two.  

Annika Gels (6-3) scattered six hits while striking out five for the Saints in the complete-game effort.  

--UPIKE--