LEBANON, Tenn. - University of Pikeville baseball split a road doubleheader against Cumberland University Saturday afternoon.
Game 1: UPike 15, Cumberland 4 (Eight innings)
The Bears got off to a fast start in game one, plating eight runs in the top of the first inning. Joe Gagnon got the scoring started with a bases-loaded three-run double. Gagnon tapped the dish shortly after when Tennessee native Mason Melton singled to make it 4-0. Cumberland walked in a pair of runs before Francis Subero singled to left to extend UPike's lead to 8-0.
The Phoenix got a pair of runs back in the bottom of the first but the Bears countered with a run in the next frame. Melton crossed the plate after Dominic Decarlo grounded out to make it 9-2.
Just like they did in the first, the Phoenix scored two more in the second. UPike again countered with a run in the third after Subero hit a solo home run.
Gagnon plated his fourth RBI of the game in the top of the fifth, then the Bears plated another run after Melton singled to center to put UPike ahead 12-4.
The Bears finished off the run-rule with three runs in the top of the eighth. Decarlo made it 13-4 after a single to left, then Easton Mould hit a two-run home run to make it 15-4. Reed Sutton put the finishing touches on the Phoenix to secure the run-rule victory in the bottom of the eighth.
On the mound, Kameron Brodeur earned the win in his first start of the season. Brodeur pitched 4.0 innings, allowing four runs (three earned), walking one and striking out five. Sutton pitched 4.0 scoreless innings of relief, sitting down three Phoenix batters on strikes and walking one.
Game 2: Cumberland 6, UPike 1
After an offensive explosion in game one, the Bears' offense scored just one run on five hits. The Phoenix opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the third, then followed it up with three more runs in the bottom of the fourth.
UPike got one back in the top of the fifth when Riley Paulino crossed home plate after Decarlo doubled. With two outs and runners on second and third, the Bears were unable to push more runs across after Mould flew out to left to end the inning.
The Bears had more chances to get back into the game with runners in scoring position in the next two innings as well. UPike left two runners on base in the top of the sixth and the top of the seventh. Cumberland would hold on for a 6-1 win and a split of the doubleheader.
Dawson Schultz made the start on the mound and was charged with the loss after pitching 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and allowing two walks.
With today's results, the Bears split the four-game series at CU and are off to a 2-2 start. Coach Cody Andreychuk's squad will take to the diamond again Tuesday afternoon for a 3:00 P.M. game at Alice Lloyd.
#BearDown
