Despite owning leads in the early innings of both games, the Bluefield softball team dropped a pair of Mid-South Conference contests to the University of Pikeville, Tuesday. Pikeville won by an 11-4 margin in both contests as they closed both games with rallies.

With the pair of defeats, the Lady Rams fall to 6-20 on the year, and 1-11 in MSC games. Pikeville improves to a 10-15 overall record and a 5-9 mark in conference games.

Game One: Pikeville 11, Bluefield 4

The visiting Bears earned a quick 3-0 lead through an inning and a half, but the Rams countered back with a pair of runs in both the second and third innings to gain a 4-3 advantage.

Breanne Vencil drove in Heather Thomas with a double down the left field line to open the Rams' scoring. Later in the second inning, Morgan Stephens scored on a dropped infield fly by UPike's third baseman.

In the third, Bluefield pieced together a two-out rally. Kourtney McGrady singled with two outs, while Aline Uehara doubled to drive her teammate home. After a walk to Thomas, Stephens singled to left field to drive in Uehara, giving the Rams a 4-3 lead.

However, Pikeville closed the game by scoring in three of the final four innings and kept Bluefield scoreless to earn the 11-4 win.

Uehara led the Lady Rams from the plate, going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Stephens, Breanne Vencill and Ciera Conkle each added two hits apiece.

Pikeville was led by Kayla Morgan, who went 3-for-4, including a two-run homerun. Morgan had four RBIs in the contest. Courtney Morgan went 4-for-5 at the plate, driving in a pair for the Bears.

Uehara received the loss, while Courtney Patrick earned the victory, allowing just two earned runs in the complete game effort.

Game Two: Pikeville 11, Bluefield 4

Pikeville posted a run to open the second ballgame, but the Lady Rams answered back with three of their own thanks to a three-run home run from Thomas.

Pikeville posted four runs in the top of the third to gain a 5-3 advantage behind a five-hit inning. Bluefield got one run back in the bottom of the frame with Uehara driving in Holcomb on a double.

The Bears added one in the fourth and then five runs in the top of the sixth to break the game open late once again en route to the 11-4 win and sweep.

Kayla Morgan pitched the complete game to earn the win for Pikeville, allowing just three hits. Megan Meismer took the loss for the Rams.

Hollie Hinkle led Pikeville at the plate in game two, claiming four RBIs.