PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (Baseball) – The Bears started a long stretch of home games with a doubleheader versus Bluefield Collge, but were unable to capitalize on some opportunities losing to the Rams by scores of 5-1 and 10-5 on Tuesday afternoon at Branch Rickey Park.

Andrew Dito (JR/Loraine, Ohio) provided a strong outing in relief in game one, pitching two innings, only allowing one hit, zero runs and a walk. Dito was also a major factor in game two, finishing 2-for-3 from the plate and adding two RBIs.

Game 1

The Bears were able to find success early in game one, Zachariah Freeman (JR/Richmond, Texas) tripled to start the inning and Brandon Reaman (JR/Dayton, Ohio) was able to send him home with an RBI on a groundout in the infield. At the end of three innings Shawnee State held on to a slim 1-0 lead.

The fourth inning featured a surge from the visiting Bluefield College, they were able to put together a five run inning. The Bears were unable to answer, as the inning proved to be the difference in the game. The Bears fell to Bluefield by a final score of 5-1.

Game 2

In the first two innings Bluefield jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead. The Bears answered in their half of the inning, thanks to some heads up base running. SSU scored two runs in the second without getting a single hit. Bluefield added another run in the third to take a 4-2 lead after three innings of play.

It was déjà vu when Bluefield began to pull away in the fourth once again. Over the final four frames the visitors were able to push across six runs. The Bears tried to close the gap scoring one run in the sixth and two in the seventh, but they were unable to finish the rally falling 10-5.

Shawnee State will play their next game Friday against University of Pikeville. This game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Branch Rickey Park.