Union Softball Falls in Series Sweep to Pikeville

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University softball team (9-23, 4-10 AAC) dropped its conference series to Pikeville (18-8, 8-6 AAC) Sunday afternoon at Paul Butcher Field, falling 5-2 in Game One and 2-1 in Game Two.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game 1: Pikeville 5, Union Commonwealth 2

Union struck first in the opening inning when Skylar Smith delivered an RBI double to score Lily Allen and take a 1-0 lead.

Pikeville answered in the second inning, capitalizing on a play at second base that allowed a run to score and tie the game at 1-1.

In the third inning, Smith added to her strong performance with a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home Savanna Higgins to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage.

The Bears took the lead in the fourth inning, using a triple and a groundout to plate two runs and move ahead 3-2.

Pikeville extended its lead in the fifth inning, taking advantage of a Bulldogs error to score two runs and make it 5-2.

Union was unable to rally in the final innings, falling in Game One.

Pitching
W: Chloe Calton (2-3): 5IP, H, 2R, 6SO
L: Maggie Haydu (5-11): 3.2IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 3SO

Notable Performances

• Skylar Smith: 2-for-2, 2RBI

• Savanna Higgins: 1-for-3

• Lily Allen: 1-for-3

Game 2: Pikeville 2, Union Commonwealth 1

After a scoreless first inning, Pikeville got on the board with an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, Pikeville extended its advantage with an RBI single to left field, making it 2-0.

The Bulldogs responded in the fourth inning when Tori Turner singled into left-center field, driving in Kenley Vanbibber to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Neither team scored over the final three innings, as Union was unable to complete the comeback and fell in Game Two.

Pitching
W: Brianna Johnsen (7-2)" 6.2IP, 8H, R, ER, 3SO
L: Taylor Sain (3-6): 6IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 2SO

Notable Performances

• Kenley Vanbibber: 2-for-3, R

• Tori Turner: 1-for-3, RBI

• Skylar Smith: 2-for-4

UP NEXT
Union returns home to Union Field on Wednesday, April 1 to take on Johnson at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.