KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After losing their midweek game due to a heavier-than-expected snowstorm, the University of Pikeville returned to action on Friday at Johnson University.
 
The fifth-ranked Royals blanked the Bears 10-0 in the first game of a three-game weekend series.
 
UPike, which fell to 14-9 on the season and 7-6 in the AAC, was limited to three hits in the contest.
 
Johnson (23-4, 10-2) scored twice in the first inning and added single runs in the second and third to take a 4-0 lead.
 
It was that way until the sixth, when the Royals sent five men across, and they closed it out with a single run in the seventh.
 
The Bears got singles from designated hitter Garren Gledhill, third baseman Mason Melton and second baseman Easton Mould.
 
UPike used three pitchers in the game. Starter Teague Van Dyke pitched the first five and took the decision, falling to 1-3. Isaac Berry and Jake Moniago followed.
 
The Bears and Royals will return to the diamond on Saturday at noon, playing a doubleheader to close out the series.