Bluefield College's Jamie Blackwell provided the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth as the Rams took game one, 6-5, over Pikeville, Sunday at Bowen Field, but the visiting Bears provided the late-inning runs in the series finale to claim game two, 11-8.

The Rams' record moves to 8-12 overall and 3-6 in Mid-South Conference contests after the Sunday split. Pikeville's marks go to 7-8, 2-1 MSC.

Game 1 – Bluefield 6, Pikeville 5

Pikeville struck first, as second baseman Bryan Bradley was plated on an Erik Manning groundout. Bradley reached on a double before advancing to third on an Andy Gumm single.

Bluefield claimed its first lead in the bottom of the second, scoring a pair of runs thanks to three doubles in the inning. Centerfielder Chris Rosa led off with a double and scored on an ensuing double from Blackwell. After advancing to third on a Tyler Lundgren groundout, Blackwell scored on Kaleb Long's two-base knock. The Rams' threat to add more was stifled by a line-drive to right field, in which Pikeville managed to turn a double play.

The Bears knotted the game in the top of the fourth, before the Rams reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Blackwell scored on a fielders' choice. The Rams' third baseman was hit by a pitch to reach base, advanced to second with a Lundgren walk, then moved to third on a Kaleb Long single.

Bluefield tacked on one more for a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth, as Lundgren reached on a walk and was brought home on a two-out single from Kyle Long.

In the seventh, Pikeville found their bats and began the frame with back-to-back doubles from Manning and Pat O'Brien. The two hits removed starting pitcher Justin Lykins, who went six innings and struck out five. The Bears added one more run in the inning, to take a 5-4 advantage.

Bluefield answered back in the bottom half, as Zac Russell-Myers began the inning with a walk, which brought on Logan Sales in relief of starting pitcher Joe Valentino. The Rams loaded the bases, while Sales walked Lundgren to bring in Russell-Myers to knot the game, 5-5.

Nether teams threatened in the eighth, while Russell-Myers was brought on to pitch in the ninth for the Rams and struck out two to keep the game square.

Villines started Bluefield quickly with a double, with Jacob Wright following with a single to advance Villines to third. Rosa was intentionally walked, setting the stage for Blackwell's no-out game winning single straight over second base.

Russell-Myers received the win for the Rams, while Sales picked up the loss.

Five different Rams – Villines, Wright, Rosa, Blackwell and Kaleb Long – scored two hits apiece in the winning effort. Blackwell had two RBIs on the afternoon, as did Kyle Long. Lundgren and Long both added one RBI.

Game 2 – Pikeville 11, Bluefield 8

Pikeville built a 2-0 lead on Bluefield through three innings, as Russell-Myers toed the rubber for the Rams in the second game.

Bluefield quickly made up ground in the third on back-to-back two-out home runs. Villines drove in two with his drive to left field, while Wright followed with a solo shot to deep left-center to give Bluefield a 3-2 lead.

Pikeville added two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to take a 6-4 lead. However, the Rams plated two in the fifth and one in the sixth to grab the lead once again, 7-6.

Errors plagued the Rams in the top of the seventh, as Pikeville plated five runs on just three hits to earn an 11-7 advantage.

Kaleb Long drove in one run in the final frame, but the Rams' could not muster a rally to close the gap, giving Pikeville the 11-8 win.

Jacob Wright was given the loss as he came in during the seventh inning. Starting pitcher Zach Sutherland earned the win for Pikeville, pitching six innings.

Villines drove in a game high three thanks to 3-for-4 hitting for the Rams.

Manning led the Bears, also going 3-for-4 and driving in two. Wright also drove in two for Pikeville in the win.

Bluefield returns to Bowen Field tomorrow, facing Ohio State Lima.