ANDERSON, IN - Transylvania Softball opened Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play on Sunday, traveling to take on Anderson University in a double header. 

The Pioneers took the opening match up with a 12–2 win over Anderson in five innings on Sunday afternoon. Transylvania struck early with four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Kailey Goetz. Transylvania added another run in the second on an RBI double from Emilie Young to take a 5–2 lead.

Transylvania broke the game open in the third inning, scoring four runs behind RBIs from Makena Francis, Taylor Ingram and Malana Hamm. The Pioneers added three more runs in the fourth, with Jessica Strickland delivering a two-RBI single and Maddie Goddard adding a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring.

Goetz led the offense with four RBI, while Hamm finished with three hits and an RBI. Emily Shearer added two hits and two runs scored, and Strickland drove in two runs.

In the circle, Maddie Goddard earned the win, allowing two runs over 3.2 innings. Olivia Colebank closed the game with 1.1 scoreless innings.

Transylvania fell to Anderson 5–3 in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader. After three scoreless innings, Anderson broke through with four runs in the third to take control. The Pioneers answered in the fourth, scoring a run as Emily Shearer came home on an error to cut the deficit to 4–1. Transylvania added two runs in the fifth inning. Ella Steczynski delivered a two-RBI single to bring the Pioneers within one at 4–3.

Anderson responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth and held Transylvania scoreless over the final two innings to secure the win.

Steczynski led the offense with a hit and two RBI, while Lexi Morlan recorded two hits and scored a run. Malana Hamm and Emily Shearer also added hits in the contest.

Trinity Bridges took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs over 2.2 innings. Natalie Contreras and Maddie Goddard combined for 4.1 innings of relief, allowing just one run.

Transylvania moves to 17–5 overall and 1–1 in HCAC play.

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Stay updated at transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.