COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of Pikeville played games nine and 10 of the busy spring break week and split a doubleheader with AAC foe Columbia International University on Friday afternoon.
 
The Bears won the opener 5-4 before falling in the nightcap 6-0.
 
UPike is now 11-7 on the season and 1-5 in AAC play. CIU is 18-6 overall, 3-3 in the conference.
 
The Bears are scheduled to wrap up the 12-game road trip on Saturday, moving across town to play Columbia College. The first game of the twin bill is slated for noon.
 
Bears 5, Rams 4: UPike scored single runs in each inning from the second through the sixth and held on for a win.
 
The Rams scored three times in the fifth to tie the game at four, but the Bears got a pinch-hit single by Kasey Lois to deliver Kaden Dunlap with what would prove to be the winning run in the top of the sixth.
 
Dunlap had a homer in the third inning among her two hits and two RBIs.
 
Left fielder Harlee Quick had two hits, including her first home run of the season. She had two RBIs and scored twice. Designated player Olivia Metcalfe had two hits and drove in a run.
 
Right fielder Maddie Horn and shortstop Alexis Emery both singled and scored. First baseman Claudia Maness had a hit.
 
Chloe Bryant pitched the final 2-2/3 innings to get the win, improving to 3-2. She pitched in relief of Brianna Johnsen, who struck out three in 4-1/3 innings of work.
 
Rams 6, Bears 0: CIU broke out a scoreless tie with four runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to earn the split.
 
UPike was limited to one hit, a single to start the sixth by Maness. But the next three batters were retired to keep the Bears off the scoreboard.
 
Chloe Calton (1-2) was the first of three UPike pitchers in the game and took the loss. Only one of the four runs she allowed were earned and she struck out three.