Box Score Chris Bryant
Contributing Writer
 

Lexington, KY – A game originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon turned into a dramatic Sunday evening affair as the Transylvania Pioneers battled the University of Chicago Maroons in a contest filled with twists, turns, and significant weather delays before ultimately securing a thrilling 5-4 victory in 10 innings.

The game began on Saturday, March 15th, but Mother Nature had other plans. After a lengthy two-and-a-half-hour rain delay, the teams managed to get the game underway at Legends Stadium. Chicago struck first in the top of the second inning with a solo home run by Michael Gladden. Transylvania responded quickly in the bottom half when senior second baseman Henry Mitcham blasted a solo homer of his own to tie the score at 1-1.

The Pioneers then took the lead in the bottom of the third. Junior designated hitter Seita Shiratori laced a clutch two-run double, scoring junior right fielder Riley Hill and senior catcher Bryce Dreher, putting Transylvania ahead 3-1. However, with the Maroons coming to bat in the top of the fifth, the weather took a turn for the worse once again, forcing the umpires to postpone the game until the following day, Sunday, March 16th, at 3:00 PM.

When play resumed on Sunday, the tension rose. Chicago chipped away at the lead in the top of the seventh when Jack Sharp homered to right field, making it a 3-2 ballgame. The Maroons then tied the score in a dramatic top of the ninth. After Chicago scored a run on a fielder's choice to take a 4-3 lead, Transylvania showed their resilience in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch hitter Houston Manning delivered a clutch single to center field, driving in freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco to knot the score at 4-4 and send the game into extra innings.

The game remained a nail-biter until the bottom of the tenth inning. Freshman shortstop Max Finn stepped up to the plate and delivered the decisive blow, crushing a solo home run to right field, sending the Pioneers and their fans home with a hard-fought and thrilling 5-4 victory.

The game saw strong offensive performances from both sides. Seita Shiratori led the Pioneers with three hits and two RBIs, while Max Finn's game-winning homer capped off a two-hit, one-RBI day. Houston Manning's crucial RBI single in the ninth also proved vital. For Chicago, Jack Sharp had a strong day at the plate with three hits, including a home run, and two RBIs, while Michael Gladden also homered and had an RBI.

On the pitching side, the game saw multiple arms from both teams. For Transylvania, junior Luke Patton started on Saturday, followed by Gabe Dillard, on the resumption of the game, Sunday March 16th, senior Connor Arnold, sophomore Brayden Offenbach, and ultimately, fifth-year senior Matthew Armstrong earned the win, pitching two innings and allowing two runs. The weather delay and the back-and-forth nature of the game made this a memorable and exciting victory for the Transylvania Pioneers.

Looking Ahead:

Fresh off their dramatic victory over the University of Chicago, the Transylvania Pioneers will have little time to rest as they are set to conclude their weekend series against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans tonight, Sunday, March 16th, at 6:00 PM at Legends Stadium.

The Pioneers will then quickly turn their attention to a Monday afternoon matchup against the same UW-Oshkosh squad, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM on Monday, March 17th, also at Legends Stadium.

After a challenging and weather-affected weekend, Transylvania will look to capitalize on their momentum from the thrilling win over Chicago as they face the Titans for the second and third times in this series. These upcoming games provide an immediate opportunity for the Pioneers to continue their winning ways and further solidify their standing as they move deeper into the 2025 season.

Follow the Pioneers:

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.