HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Bears baseball split a doubleheader at William Carey to conclude their first weekend series of the season.
Game 1: William Carey 8, UPIKE 3
UPIKE drew first blood during game one, plating one run in the top of the second. Austin Gurney led off the inning with a single to right, then found his way to third after a passed ball and a wild pitch. Gurney would cross the plate after an RBI single by Garren Gledhill.
The Crusaders took the lead with a pair of runs in the third, then doubled their lead in the fourth after a sacrifice fly. After retiring the Bears in order in the top of the fifth, William Carey took advantage of some UPIKE mistakes in the bottom of the fifth. UPIKE committed two errors and the Crusaders made them pay by hanging five runs.
The Bears got a pair of runs back a half inning later. Gavin Fraser lead off the inning with an infield single then advanced to second after an errant throw. Riley Paulino recorded his first RBI of the season on the next at-bat, singling to left field and scoring Fraser. Paulino would score himself two batters later after a sacrifice fly by Noah Brooks.
Shaye McTavish made his first start of the season for the Bears. McTavish pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits and struck out five. At the plate, the Bears finished the game with five hits, led by Austin Gurney with two.
Game 2: UPIKE 6, William Carey 3
William Carey opened the scoring with an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but their lead was short-lived. UPIKE knotted the score at 1-1 a half-inning later. Noah Brooks got the inning started after he wore a fastball. Brooks stole second, then scored after Francis Subero singled to left. Subero stole second to get into scoring position but was left stranded after the next two batters were retired.
The game remained 1-1 until the Bears got their offense going in the fifth. With two outs, Riley Paulino drew a walk then advanced to second after Cam Revolt was hit by a pitch. With two on and two out, Joe Gagnon walked to load the bases. The bases did not stay loaded long, however. Austin Gurney emptied the bases with a three-run triple to put the Bears up 4-1. Noah Brooks made the score 5-1 with a single to right.
The Crusaders got a pair of runs back in the bottom of the second. With two on and one out, sophomore reliever Caleb Morrison checked in the game. Morrison and the Bears' defense tightened up, striking one Crusader out and popping up another to end the scoring threat.
In the ninth, Maquire Wakelyn made his UPIKE debut and recorded his first save as a Bear. After allowing a single, Wakelyn recorded back-to-back strikeouts to close out the game and secure the win for the Bears.
On the mound, Kameron Brodeur made his first start of the season and had a great outing. Brodeur went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and struck out three. At the plate, Austin Gurney led UPIKE with two hits. Gurney finished the series 5-8 (.625), three RBIs and three runs scored.
UPIKE is 1-2 following this weekend's series. The Bears will return home next Friday and Saturday for a four-game series against Cleary University. First pitch of Friday's series against the Cougars is set for noon at Johnie LeMaster Field.
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