Chris Bryant
Contributing Writer
Berea, KY – The Transylvania Pioneers capped off a successful road trip, completing a series sweep of the Berea College Mountaineers with a 6-4 victory on Tuesday afternoon. The Pioneers' offense provided timely hits, and the pitching staff held off a late Berea rally to secure the win.
After a scoreless opening, the Pioneers broke the tie in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman right fielder Max Finn singled up the middle, driving in sophomore left fielder Chris Hedinger and senior second baseman Henry Mitcham, giving Transylvania a 2-0 lead.
The Pioneers added another run in the top of the fifth when Henry Mitcham singled up the middle, scoring freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco to extend the lead to 3-0. In the top of the sixth, Transylvania tacked on two more runs. Freshman center fielder Ethan Dillon singled through the left side, bringing home senior catcher Caleb Bowers, and Baxter Tedesco followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Dillon, making it 5-0.
Berea finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth, scoring a run. However, the Pioneers responded in the top of the ninth when Ethan Dillon scored on a throwing error by the catcher, increasing their lead to 6-1.
The Mountaineers mounted a late comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs. However, fifth year pitcher Matthew Armstrong entered the game and shut down the rally, securing the 6-4 victory for the Pioneers.
Offensively, the Pioneers were led by Ethan Dillon, who had two hits, an RBI, and scored two runs. Henry Mitcham also had two hits and an RBI, while Max Finn drove in two runs. Baxter Tedesco contributed with a hit and an RBI.
Junior pitcher Luke Patton started for the Pioneers, pitching 4.0 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit with one strikeout. Freshman pitcher Giancarlo Gonzalez (1-1) earned the win in relief, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings and striking out two. Matthew Armstrong earned his second save of the season, recording the final three outs.
With this victory, the Transylvania Pioneers improve their overall record to 13-10 and their HCAC record to 6-3, completing a sweep of Berea College.
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