PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Leadoff batter Ryan Sartin had four hits and was one of four Bears with multiple RBIs as the University of Pikeville completed the weekend sweep of Columbia International (S.C.) University 14-4 on Saturday.
 
UPike is now 8-1 overall, winners of five straight and 3-0 after its first AAC series since moving into the league. CIU is now 1-11, 0-3.
 
Coming off Friday's doubleheader sweep, the Bears came out confident and aggressive as they posted six runs in the bottom of the first inning.
 
The Bears quickly loaded the bases, with all three reaching on different ways. Third baseman Ryan Sartin led off with a single, and after he stole second, centerfielder Riley Paulino was hit by a pitch and right fielder Noah Helton walked.
 
CIU starter got what he needed from cleanup batter Austin Gurney, who tapped an infield grounder, but it was misplayed to score both Sartin and Paulino with the first runs of the game.
 
That opened the gates, as the Bears added four more runs before the inning ended. Helton scored when second baseman Cam Revolt singled to center, and, when he stole second, Gurney came in with the fourth run.
 
Revolt stole third and scored on an errant throw. Shortstop Ian Setser walked, moved into scoring position on a hit by catcher Samuel Torres and scored on Sartin's second hit of the inning to make it 6-0.
 
The Rams responded with a run in the top of the second. First baseman Graham Peeler singled and his pinch-runner, Jordan Murphy, scored on a single by Tanner Martinez.
 
The Bears posted three more in the second inning. It began when Helton drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a single by Gurney. Revolt grounded out, but Helton scored and Gurney, who had stole second, advanced to third.
 
Designated hitter Tyler Maynard delivered the eighth run of the game on a single to right to score Gurney. Maynard moved to second when Helton walked and stole third. He then scored when Torres reached on an error to make the score 9-1.
 
The Rams scored again in the top of the third. Colton Lopez doubled and scored when Aiden Prigden singled him in.
 
CIU continued to claw its way back with two in the fourth. Martinez reached on a fielder's choice and Rafael Gonzales on an infield hit. Pinch-runner Trace Thompson scored on wild pitch and Gonzales on a passed ball to make it 9-4.
 
UPike pushed three more across in the bottom of the inning. Maynard led off with a single and scored when Helton tripled to the gap in right-center. Setser was hit by a pitch before Torres reached on a fielder's choice that retired Helton at the plate.
 
Sartin had another RBI single to score Setser and move courtesy running Tyler Freas to third. He scored on a passed ball to push the lead to 12-4.
 
The Bears finished it off with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. It began when Helton doubled to left and scored on a hit by Gurney. He moved to third on a hit by Revolt and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Maynard.
 
Kameron Brodeur (2-1) was the winner for the Bears, going six. Senior Grayson Harris needed only seven pitches to get through the seventh.
 
Freshman Matthew Garris was the pitcher of record for the Rams. He threw the first two innings and allowed nine runs, five of which were earned, and six hits. Grad student Deric Hanko finished the game, throwing the final 4-1/3.
 
The Bears will return to action on Tuesday, visiting Midway University at 3 p.m.