UPIKE Athletics

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The University of Pikeville scored three runs in the fifth to tie the score and two in the sixth to beat Columbia International (S.C.) University 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon in the AAC tournament at Brickyard Ball Fields.
 
The win kept the fifth-seeded Bears alive in the tournament where they will play again on Thursday where they will play at 11 a.m. against an opponent to be determined later today.
 
It also extended their school record for wins in a season to 29 against 14 losses.
 
UPike fell behind 3-0 in the second inning when the Rams scored all their runs. First baseman Raleigh Stewart tripled to drive in two runs and then scored on a wild pitch.
 
It stayed that way until the fifth when the Bears opened the inning with singles by Addison Johnson and Dani Crum, and both advanced into scoring position on a passed ball.
 
Johnson got the Bears on the scoreboard when she came across on a ground out by Alexis Emery. After Kaden Dunlap walked, she and Crum moved up on another passed ball.
 
Both scored to tie the game on a single to center by Rylee Carter.
 
In the sixth, Ashlyn Dixon and Crum had singles to get it started. Dixon scored on a hit by Emery, and Crum crossed on a throwing error.
 
Chloe Bryant needed only 86 pitches to go the distance for the Bears. She struck out three to improve to 10-4 on the season.
 
Claudia Maness had three hits to pace the Bears' offense. The top of the order delivered again for UPike, as Crum had two hits and scored twice while Emery had two hits and drove one in.
 
Dunlap had a hit and scored, while Carter drove in two with a hit. Dixon and Johnson had a hit and scored a run each, while Maddie Horn had a hit.