Pikeville, Ky. – The Bears dropped a 6-1 series-opening decision to the Thomas More Saints Friday afternoon at Johnnie Lemaster Field. 

Bears' pitcher Kameron Brodeur got off to a hot start, retiring the Saints in seven pitches in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, Ryan Sartin reached base with a leadoff single. Sartin advanced from first to third after an errant pickoff attempt, then scored after a sacrifice fly by Tyler Maynard. After one inning, UPIKE led 1-0. 

The Saints tied the score in the fourth, then tacked on two more in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead. After a scoreless eighth inning for both teams, the Bears and Saints went to the ninth with TMU holding a two-run lead. TMU added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth and led 6-1 going into the game's final frame. UPIKE was kept off the scoreboard in the ninth and Thomas More took this one 6-1.

Saints right hander Mychal Grogan got the start on the hill and the Bears struggled mightily against TMU's ace. After Ryan Sartin's leadoff single in the top of the first, UPIKE did not record another hit until Sartin singled in the bottom of the ninth. Grogan pitched a complete game, giving up one run on two hits and striking out 11. 

For the Bears, Kameron Brodeur had another strong start. The freshman right hander from Temecula, Calif. pitched 7.0 innings, gave up three runs and struck out three Saints. 

With today's loss, the Bears have lost three in a row. The Bears and Saints will go at it again Saturday with a double header starting at noon. 

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