The University of Pikeville played its home opener for the 2026 softball season on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with Alice Lloyd College.
 
The Bears won the opener 10-0 in five innings before the Eagles posted five in the top of the seventh to rally for a 9-5 win in the closer.
 
UPike, 1-3, will be back on the diamond on Tuesday afternoon, traveling to play AAC opponent Milligan (Tenn.) University. First pitch will be at 1 p.m.
 
Bears 10, Eagles 0, 5 inn.: A three-run first was followed by six in the second as the Bears cruised to the win in the opener.
 
Shortstop Alexis Emery had three doubles, drove in four and scored once. Catcher Dani Crum had three hits, one a double, and scored twice. First baseman Chloe Calton had two hits, drove in three and scored.
 
Centerfielder Addison Johnson had a hit, an RBI and a run scored, while Kasey Lois had a hit and scored. First baseman Claudia Maness singled and drove one in, while third baseman Ashlyn Dixon singled and scored.
 
Senior Brianna Johnsen went the distance in the circle to move to 1-1 on the season. She scattered three hits and struck out four.
 
Eagles 9, Bears 5: UPike jumped out to a 5-3 lead after four innings, but Alice Lloyd rallied for one in the top of the sixth and five in the seventh to pull out the win.
 
Second baseman Kaden Dunlap had two of the Bears' six hits, one a triple, and scored two runs. Crum doubled and drove in two, while left fielder Chloy Creech doubled, drove in a run and scored a run.
 
Johnson and Emery had the other hits, while Dixon and Cate Salyers scored for the Bears.
 
Rylee Carter pitched 3-2/3 innings of relief and took the decision for the Bears. She struck out two, as did starter Chloe Bryant over the first 2-1/3. Calton came on for 1/3, while Shelby Ulrich got the final two outs with one strikeout.