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ANDERSON, Ind.â€" The Pioneers faced a tough draw in Friday's opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, falling to Anderson University, 4-1 and Bluffton University, 5-1.
The losses capped the 2014 season for the Pioneers.Transylvania opened the day against No. 1 seed, Anderson, before facing off against No. 2 seed Bluffton in Friday's second game.
Both offenses were sluggish early, in Anderson's 4-1 win over the Pioneers, as
Jamie Lutes was solid all day on the mound for the Pioneers.The Pioneers dropped Friday's first game after the Ravens pulled ahead thanks to a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth from Nichole Frazier.
Anderson got on the board in the home half of the second from a RBI single from Shelby Shaffer to take a 1-0 lead. From there,Lutes and the Pioneer defense were able to keep Anderson off the scoreboard until the fifth, when Frazier homered.
The Pioneers, however, would not give up so easily. Despite being held scoreless through the first six inngings, the Pioneers threatened in the seventh.
Maddy Rodabaugh drew a base on balls to give the Pioneers their first base runner in the final inning. Freshman
Lauren Willett followed with a single down the right field line, moving Rodaubaugh to third on an Anderson error which put two on for the Pioneers with only one away.Freshman
Shelby Bailey sent a ball down the left field line in the top of the seventh scoring Rodabaugh for the first score of the game for Transylvania. The Pioneers' comeback attempt fell short with a play at the plate off a single from
Katie Hulsman ended threat, as Anderson advanced.
The Pioneers squared off against Bluffton in Friday's second game in the elimination game. Bluffton jumped out to a 5-0 lead after posting runs in each of the first three innings.
The Transylvania offense was limited to one hit through the first four innings, before Willett blasted a solo homer in the fifth to narrow the Bluffton lead to 5-1, but the Beavers were able to hold off the Pioneers in the final innings.
Bailey finished 3-for-7 with one RBI to lead the Pioneer offense Friday.
The Pioneers (14-24,8-8 HCAC) earned the tournament bid thanks to a three-game conference win streak to close the regular season.
