UPIKE and SMC Split Doubleheader

PIKEVILLE, KY – Spartanburg Methodist College and the University of Pikeville split an Appalachian Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader on Friday.

With the series schedule adjusted to avoid expected rain, the visiting Pioneers used a four-run sixth inning and a strong pitching performance from Travis Dannecker to claim a 5–1 win in game one. The host Bears responded in the nightcap, scoring six early runs on the way to a 7–5 victory.

The series will be decided in Saturday's finale, scheduled for noon.

Spartanburg Methodist rallied from a 1–0 deficit and rode the arm of Dannecker, who tossed a complete game to earn his first win of the season.

The Pioneers broke through in the sixth inning, scoring four runs on two hits while taking advantage of two Pikeville errors to take a 4–1 lead. The key hit came off the bat of pinch-hitter Brady Jeffcoat, who delivered a two-RBI single.

SMC added an insurance run in the ninth when Tanner Martin launched a two-out solo home run.

Dannecker limited the Bears to just three hits and one earned run while striking out seven.

Pikeville jumped out early in game two, scoring five runs on six hits in the first inning to take control of the contest.

The Pioneers answered in the second inning when Matt Smith connected on a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 5–2. The Bears added another run in the bottom half of the inning to push the lead to 6–2.

SMC closed the gap in the sixth inning, scoring two runs to make it a 6–4 game. Ty Harper drove in a run with an RBI single, while Payne Sheriff added a sacrifice fly that scored Elijah Franz.

Pikeville extended its lead to 7–4 in the bottom of the sixth following a triple and a run-scoring play.

The Pioneers attempted another rally in the seventh. Doubles by Blake Exizian and Jarian Pinckney helped SMC trim the deficit to 7–5, but a groundout ended the comeback bid.

Franz led the Pioneers' offense in the nightcap, collecting two of SMC's seven hits.