The University of Pikeville continued to stay hot in the last few weeks, splitting a doubleheader with Johnson (Tenn.) University on Monday.
 
The Royals rallied for a 6-5 win in the opener while the Bears pulled out a 2-1 win to wrap it up.
 
UPike is now 16-8 on the season, 6-6 in the AAC. The Bears have now won 13 of their last 16 games.
 
Johnson is now 12-9, 3-3 in the league.
 
The Bears will return to Paul Butcher Field on Friday to play Truett McConnell (Ga.) University. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
 
Royals 6, Bears 5: UPike jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the Royals pushed across three in the fourth and again in the fifth.
 
Starting catcher Dani Crum continued her hot bat with three hits, including a double, scoring one and driving one in. The Bears also got multiple hits from first baseman Claudia Maness, who came around and scored.
 
The Bears also got a triple from second baseman Kaden Dunlap and a single by left fielder Harlee Quick.
 
Right fielder Maddie Horn walked twice and scored, while pinch runner Rae-Leigh Purvis came around to score. Designated player Olivia Metcalfe drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.
 
Starting pitcher Chloe Calton (1-3) pitched four innings and took the decision. Only one of the five runs she allowed was earned and she struck out two. Chloe Bryant threw the final three innings, recording two strikeouts as well.
 
Bears 2, Royals 1: UPike scored single runs in the first and fourth innings and limited the Royals to a single tally in the sixth to pull out the win behind senior Breanna Johnsen.
 
Johnsen pitched her second complete game in three days to improve to 6-2 on the season. She struck out three and scattered three hits, and allowed only an unearned run in the game.
 
UPike scored in the bottom of the first when Crum led off with a single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Quick. In the fourth, the Bears scored on a double steal that brought in Cate Salyers for a 2-0 lead.
 
Quick and Dunlap had doubles for the Bears, while Addison Johnson joined Crum with singles.