PIKEVILLE – The University of Pikeville softball team improved to 3-1 on the season with a split on Saturday with St. Francis, Ind.

St. Francis earned what would be its only win of the weekend in the opener by a 17-5 score, while the Bears turned the tables with a 6-3 win to close the weekend series.

Pikeville is scheduled to play its first road games of the season on Wednesday when it visits Asbury University at 5 p.m.

Cougars 17, Bears 5: St. Francis broke open a one-run game with eight fifth-inning runs to pull away for the win.

The Cougars took advantage of Bear miscues to score nine unearned runs in the game.

Junior third baseman Kayla Morgan had a pair of doubles in the loss, driving in two and scoring one. Junior designated hitter Hannah Vinson had a pair of RBIs as well. Freshman left fielder Shamy Williams continued her torrid weekend with a double and three runs scored.

Left fielder Alyssa Kumpfmiller led the 16-hit Cougar attack with two triples among her three hits, driving in five and scoring three. Third baseman Stephanie Whitman had a single and a double, driving in four and scoring two.

Bears 6, Cougars 3: UPIKE scored a pair of runs in each of the first three innings to build a big lead for sophomore pitcher Caitlin Conley.

Senior Mallory George had a double and drove in two while Vinson scored twice and added a hit. Senior Ashleigh Stanley had a pair of safeties and scored a run.

Conley (1-0) went the distance, striking out four and allowing only seven hits.