Chris Bryant
Contributing Writer
Kokomo, IN – The Transylvania Pioneers put on an offensive clinic, defeating the Anderson Ravens 15-6 on Saturday afternoon to advance to the HCAC Tournament Championship.
Transylvania's bats were hot from the start. In the bottom of the first, freshman center fielder Ethan Dillon scored on a throwing error by the shortstop after singling and advancing on a sacrifice bunt. Anderson took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second, but the Pioneers immediately responded in the bottom half when senior first baseman Austin Taylor tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder Chris Hedinger, tying the game at 2-2.
The Ravens regained the lead in the third, 3-2, but the Pioneers' offense exploded in the bottom of the inning. Junior shortstop Seita Shiratori scored on a sacrifice fly by senior second baseman Henry Mitcham. Hedinger then singled to score Taylor. Junior designated hitter Houston Manning followed with an RBI single, and senior outfielder Collin McElfresh capped the four-run inning with an RBI single, putting Transy up 6-3.
Anderson cut the lead to 6-4 in the fourth, but the Pioneers answered again. Taylor singled to score Shiratori, making it 7-4.
The fifth inning saw Transylvania extend their lead further. Dillon hit a ground-rule RBI double, McElfresh scored on a wild pitch, and Mitcham singled to drive in Dillon, pushing the score to 10-4.
Transylvania continued to pour it on in the seventh inning, scoring four more runs. Shiratori drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt. Freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco singled to score Dillon. Taylor then singled to bring home Tedesco, and Hedinger singled to score Mitcham, making it 14-4.
The Pioneers added their final run in the eighth when Dillon hit a sacrifice fly to score senior catcher Bryce Dreher. Anderson managed two runs in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough.
The offensive onslaught was a team effort. Ethan Dillon had three hits, including a double, scored three runs, and drove in two. Austin Taylor also had a huge day with four hits (a double and a triple), two runs scored, and two RBIs. Henry Mitcham collected three hits, a run, and two RBIs. Chris Hedinger drove in three runs on two hits. Seita Shiratori and Houston Manning each had two hits and an RBI, while Collin McElfresh and Baxter Tedesco also drove in a run apiece.
Junior Luke Patton started on the mound for the Pioneers. Senior Jacob Moberly earned the win (2-0) in relief, pitching 6.0 strong innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out three.
C. Williams took the loss for Anderson.
HCAC Championship Game Next:
With this victory, Transylvania advances to the HCAC Tournament Championship game:
Championship Format:
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Since Manchester is undefeated in the tournament, Transylvania will need to beat them twice to claim the HCAC title.
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If Transylvania wins Game 10 today, an "if necessary" GAME 11 (a repeat of Game 10) will be played on Sunday, May 11th, at 12:00 PM to determine the champion.
