Chris Bryant

Contributing Writer

Kokomo, IN – The Transylvania Pioneers survived a tense ninth-inning rally by the Mt. St. Joseph Lions to secure a crucial 7-5 victory on Friday evening in an HCAC Tournament elimination game at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. The win propels the Pioneers further into championship contention.

Transylvania struck first in the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded, freshman center fielder Ethan Dillon delivered a clutch two-run single to left field, scoring senior catcher Bryce Dreher and junior designated hitter Houston Manning. An error on the play allowed senior outfielder Collin McElfresh to advance to third, and Dillon took second, giving Transy an early 2-0 lead.

Mt. St. Joseph responded in the bottom of the third, tying the game with an RBI double from A. Mere and an RBI single by J. Harley.

The Pioneers reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth when freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco ripped an RBI double to left-center, scoring junior shortstop Seita Shiratori and making it 3-2. Transylvania added a key insurance run in the eighth when senior first baseman Austin Taylor scored on a throwing error by the pitcher during a failed pickoff attempt.

Heading into the ninth with a 4-2 lead, Transylvania's offense exploded for three more runs. Tedesco singled up the middle for an RBI, plating McElfresh. Senior second baseman Henry Mitcham then grounded out, allowing Shiratori to score. Taylor capped the rally with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Tedesco and pushing the lead to 7-2.

The Lions did not go quietly, mounting a significant rally in the bottom of the ninth. An RBI double by A. Clements, followed by Clements scoring on an error, and an RBI single from T. Herbers brought Mt. St. Joseph within two runs at 7-5, with the tying run at the plate. However, fifth-year pitcher Matt Armstrong buckled down to get the final strikeout, preserving the win and earning the save.

Offensively for the Pioneers, Seita Shiratori and Baxter Tedesco were the key players, each collecting two hits and scoring two runs, with Tedesco also driving in two crucial runs. Austin Taylor contributed two hits, a run scored, and an RBI. Ethan Dillon drove in two runs with his early single.

Sophomore Nathan Hale delivered a strong start for Transylvania, earning the win by pitching 7.0 innings and allowing only two earned runs on four hits while striking out three. Fifth-year Gabe Dillard provided a scoreless inning of relief.

M. Frye took the loss for Mt. St. Joseph.

Championship Outlook:

The Pioneers continue their HCAC Tournament run tomorrow, Saturday, May 10th:

• They will face Anderson at 1:00 PM.

• The winner of the Transylvania vs. Anderson game will advance to play Manchester at 4:30 PM for the HCAC Championship.

• It's important to note the championship format: Manchester, being undefeated in the tournament so far, must be beaten twice. If Manchester loses the 4:30 PM game on Saturday, an "if necessary" championship game will be played on Sunday
  
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