The University of Pikeville built a six-run lead and held off Bryan (Tenn.) College 7-5 on Friday afternoon at Johnnie LeMaster Field.
 
The win came in the opener of a three-game weekend series between AAC rivals.
 
Bryan (20-20 on the season, 13-9 in the league) scored a run in the top of the first, but the Bears tied it in the bottom of the frame.
 
UPike (21-13, 9-9) then scored two in the fourth and posted four in the sixth as they pounded out seven hits in the inning.
 
The Lions scored three times in the eighth, all of them unearned, and added one in the ninth to pull within two.
 
Five different Bears had multiple hits in the win, as the team racked up 13 on the day.
 
Starting shortstop Frances Subero had two of them, including a double, driving in one and scoring one. Centerfielder Riley Paulino and designated hitter Garren Gledhill had two hits, an RBI and a run scored each.
 
Mason Melton had two hits and scored twice, while Easton Mould had two safeties and drove in a run.
 
Left fielder Noah Brooks had a triple and an RBI. Right fielder Cole Fowler had a hit, drove in two and scored one, while first baseman Joe Gagnon singled and scored.
 
Teague Van Dyke gave the Bears 7-1/3 innings to improve to 3-3. He struck out five and allowed only one earned run.
 
Dawson Schultz threw 2/3 of an inning and struck out one before Cole Carmichael earned his fourth save.
 
The Bears and Lions will close out their series on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon.