ATHENS, Tenn. – The University of Pikeville scored three times in the top of the ninth inning to surprise No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan 9-6 on Friday night.
 
It was the first conference loss of the season for the Bulldogs after opening with nine consecutive wins. They're now 20-7 on the season.
 
The Bears took the lead on the last of third baseman Mason Melton's three hits in the game and scored two insurance runs as part of a three-hit, five-RBI day by first baseman Joe Gagnon.
 
UPike (13-7, 6-4 in the AAC) rallied to tie the game with a pair of runs in the eighth. The action started when left fielder Noah Brooks tripled to right field. Garren Gledhill and Melton followed with walks.
 
Gagnon singled to right, scoring Brooks and pinch runner Connor Moody to even the score at 6-6.
 
Right fielder Riley Paulino led off the ninth with a walk and was sacrificed to second by shortstop Francis Subero. Brooks was intentionally walked to put runners at first and second with one out.
 
One out later, Melton singled to right, scoring Paulino. An error put both runners in scoring position for Gagnon, who singled to right to score both Brooks and Melton.
 
In the bottom half, Cole Carmichael pitched around a pair of one-out hits to secure his third save of the season.
 
All three of Gagnon's hits were singles, while Melton had a triple among his three. He had three RBIs and scored twice. Brooks had two hits, including a triple and scored three times. Gledhill doubled and scored twice, and his runner, Moody, scored once as well.
 
Dominic DeCarlo, Easton Mould and Tyler Brook all had hits for the Bears.
 
Isaac Berry pitched 4-2/3 innings in relief to earn his fourth win in five decisions. He came on in relief of Teague Van Dyke, who went 3-1/3.
 
The Bears and Bulldogs will wrap up the series on Saturday with a doubleheader, scheduled to start at noon.