Pikeville, Ky. – The Bears wrapped up their 2023 regular season home schedule with a resounding, 15-1 win over the Union College Bulldogs Tuesday afternoon. 

Jake Biggs made his third start on the hill for the Bears and had a great outing. Biggs pitched a complete game, giving up one run (unearned) on five hits for the first win of the season for the freshman right hander. 

UPIKE's offense complimented Biggs' best start of the season by getting the bats going early and often. Ryan Sartin started the hitting with a lead off double in the bottom of the first. Sartin scored a few batters later by way of fielder's choice by Tyler Maynard. Maynard scored shortly after an errant throw by the catcher. Noah Brooks extended the UPIKE lead to 3-0 after doubling to left, scoring Noah Helton. 

The Bears went yard three times in the bottom of the second, starting with a two-run blast by Ryan Sartin. Then, Tyler Maynard and Noah Helton hit back-to-back bombs, putting the Bears up 7-0 after two. 

Union would get one run back in the top of the third, but the Bears countered by hanging a crooked number one frame later. Freshman Matthew Crum singled to right, scoring Tyler Freas. A few batters later, Kyle Williams stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded. Williams hit a grand slam and put the Bears up 12-1. 

Neither team scored again until Matthew Crum singled to left with the bases loaded. One batter later, Tyler Freas scored after a sacrifice flyout by Ryan Sartin. Hayden Hockett capped off the scoring for UPIKE with a single to right, scoring Demarco Miller. 

One frame later, Jake Biggs kept the Bulldogs off the scoresheet and the Bears run-ruled Union for their 21st win of the season. UPIKE is now 21-21 (12-11 MSC) on the year and will return to action Friday for a three game set with the #9 Cumberlands Patriots in Williamsburg. 

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