PIKEVILLE, Ky. - Bears baseball was defeated 11-3 by Johnson University in their 2025 home opener Friday afternoon. 

Johnson opened the scoring in the top of the first and the Bears answered one frame later. Riley Paulino led off the bottom of the first with a single, then scored a few batters later after Noah Brooks flew out to left for a sacrifice fly to tie the score.  

The Royals tacked on a run in the second and then added three more in the top of the fourth. UPIKE battled back in the next frame. Joe Gagnon led off the fourth with a two-bagger to left, then advanced to third after a single by Tanner Gerosa. Connor Moody checked into the game as a courtesty runner for Gerosa and scored two batters later. Mason Melton singled to left to make it 5-2 and then Riley Paulino made it 5-3 with a sacrifice fly to center.  

Johnson tacked on one in the top of the fifth to make it 6-3. UPIKE was not able to get much going offensively after the fourth inning, going down in order in the fifth and sixth innings. The Royals scored two in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, and added another in the top of the ninth to make it 11-3.  

The Bears struggled mightily on defense in this game. UPIKE committed four errors, walked six and hit two. Only seven of Johnson's eleven runs were earned.  

Melton led the Bears in hits with two hits. Friday was Melton's first multi-hit game as a Bear. Brooks has reached base in 13 consecutive games and has RBIs in three consecutive games. 

The Bears will take the field again Saturday for a games two and three against Johnson. First pitch for tomorrow's doublehader is set for 12:00 p.m. at Johnnie LeMaster Field.  

#BearDown