Chris Bryant
Contributing Writer

Lexington, KY – The Transylvania Pioneers delivered a commanding 11-1 victory over the Maryville (Tenn.) Scots on Tuesday at Legends Field, showcasing an explosive offense led by freshman outfielder Ethan Dillon and freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco, and solid pitching capped off by a scoreless outing from fifth-year pitcher Matthew Armstrong.

The Pioneers' offense came alive early in the game, scoring four runs in the first inning. Following a leadoff run by Maryville, Transylvania responded swiftly and decisively. Senior second baseman Henry Mitcham drove in the first run with a single, followed by a two-RBI single from freshman shortstop Max Finn. Baxter Tedesco hit a double to right-center, driving in Finn and extending the lead to 4-1.

Ethan Dillon further increased the Pioneers lead in the fourth, launching a two-run home run to center field, his first of the game, after junior outfielder Riley Hill reached base. The fifth inning saw another four-run surge, with Tedesco driving in a run with a single and Dillon smashing his second home run, a three-run shot to left, extending the lead to a dominant 10-1. Dillon powered an impressive offensive performance with two home runs and five RBIs.

Along with the power hitting, Transylvania's aggressive baserunning was on full display, with five stolen bases as a team. Baxter Tedesco led the team on the basepaths, stealing three bases and adding to his impressive four-hit performance at the plate. Mitcham and Finn also contributed significantly to the offense, with Mitcham adding two hits and an RBI and Finn driving in three runs.

On the mound, sophomore Drew Bowles earned the win with a strong 4.0 innings, allowing just one run and striking out four. Giancarlo Gonzalez provided excellent relief with three scoreless innings. In the 8th inning, Matthew Armstrong entered the game and efficiently closed out the inning, retiring both batters he faced to maintain the Pioneers' dominant lead and help secure the victory. Armstrong's clean outing capped off a strong pitching performance for Transylvania, limiting Maryville to just one run on a single hit for the entire game.

The Transylvania Pioneers (6-4) demonstrated a well-rounded team performance in their 11-1 triumph over Maryville (11-4). Ethan Dillon's power hitting, Baxter Tedesco's all-around offensive game and baserunning, and Matthew Armstrong's scoreless relief appearance were key highlights in the decisive win.

Looking Ahead: 

Following their dominant victory over Maryville, the Transylvania Pioneers face a busy and challenging weekend as they host a Round Robin tournament at Legends Stadium on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th. The Pioneers are set to clash with both the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans and the University of Chicago Maroons in a series of games that will test their early-season momentum.

The action kicks off on Saturday at noon with a neutral site game between UW-Oshkosh and UChicago, providing an early glimpse at Transylvania's upcoming opponents. The Pioneers will then take the field for their first game of the tournament against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans at 3:00 PM on Saturday. The day concludes with a primetime matchup against the University of Chicago Maroons scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Sunday will see the Pioneers back in action for two more games, again facing both tournament participants. Transylvania will play UW-Oshkosh once more at 11:00 AM and will wrap up the weekend tournament against University of Chicago at 2:00 PM.

Fans planning to attend should be aware that forecasted inclement weather could potentially impact game times and the schedule. Game times are subject to change, and fans are strongly encouraged to monitor Transylvania Athletics' official website and social media channels for the most up-to-date information regarding game day schedules.

Live stats will be available for all games at Legends Stadium, allowing fans to follow the action closely, even if weather disrupts plans. Links to live stats and team history versus these opponents can be found on the Transylvania Athletics website.

This weekend's Round Robin tournament presents a significant test for the Pioneers as they face two quality programs. Transylvania will look to carry their offensive firepower and solid pitching from the Maryville game into these matchups, aiming to build upon their winning streak and continue their strong start to the 2025 season.

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To keep up with Transy Baseball, follow the Pioneers on Instagram and X @transybaseball Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.