Lexington, Ky. – A late-game four-run rally was not enough for the Transylvania baseball team as it dropped a 9-4 decision to the Spalding University Golden Eagles at Marquard Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Rescheduled from Wednesday, March 7 due to impending weather, the game served as Transylvania's 2018 season opener.

Senior shortstop Jared Williams led Transylvania with three hits in the game, and freshman catcher
Michael Blair went 2-for-3 at the plate and tallied three RBI.

Freshman pitcher Colton Hartig got the start in the 2018 home opener and went 2.1 innings before yielding a 2-0 lead to the visiting Eagles. Five different Pioneers pitchers saw work atop the mound, allowing six earned runs over that course of time.

Leading 2-0, Spalding broke the game open in the top of the fourth by scoring four runs on three hits and placing the Pioneers in a 6-0 hole.

The Pioneers' offensive burst came in the bottom of the eighth when their batters put three extra-base hits together. Williams doubled down the right-field line and then scored on a double to center-field by sophomore designated-hitter Austin Butts. Blair completed the scoring frenzy with a booming two-run home run.

Transylvania added another run in the bottom of the ninth on a two-out RBI single from Blair, cutting Spalding's lead to five, but senior outfielder Rex Rogers grounded out to end the game.

The loss drops Transylvania's record to 3-5 on the young season.

The Pioneers will return to action this weekend as they host the Capitol University Crusaders on Saturday, March 10. First pitch between is set for 12:00 p.m. at Marquard Field.

For more on Transylvania baseball, follow @TransyBaseball on Twitter