BLUFFTON, Ohio—Transylvania University's softball team swept a doubleheader against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bluffton University to stay atop the HCAC standings early in the season. The Pioneers outlasted the Beavers in the first game, 7-6, before winning by a 9-6 margin in the second game of the day.

After falling behind 3-1 in the first game, Transylvania posted one run in the fourth before going off for five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead and seal the victory. In the fifth, designated player Rhyan Disser led off the inning with a homerun over the centerfield fence. After a single from first baseman Katie Hulsman and a fly out, pitcher Jamie Lutes stepped to the plate and knocked a single into centerfield to put runners on first and second. A double from pinch hitter Madison Dorsey scored Hulsman and put two on for shortstop Shelby Bailey who ripped a three RBI homer to cap the scoring for the Pioneers in the inning.

Despite single runs from the Beavers in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, Transy held on for the victory as Chelsea Pharris worked two innings of one run softball to pick up her first save of the season. Bailey's three RBIs led the Pioneers while Lutes' two hits were a game-high for Transylvania. Hulsman earned her fourth win of the season, going 1.2 innings and allowing one run on three hits.

In game two, the Pioneers entered the top of the fifth trailing 6-2 but snagged the lead by again using a big inning, plating five runs. Dorsey led off the inning with a walk and Bailey singled through the right side before second baseman Lauren Willett walked to load the bases with no outs. Left fielder Krista DeBurger walked, bringing in a run before Disser hit an infield fly and Hulsman struck out to give Transy two outs in the inning. Third baseman Elizabeth Young came to the plate and drove a homerun down the left field line for a grand slam and to put the Pioneers on top 7-5.

Transylvania added two in the top of the ninth to extend their lead to 9-6 and Lutes worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to seal the sweep for the Pioneers. Lutes picked up her fourth win of the season, going 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out three. Bailey and Young recorded two hits each and Young led all players with four RBIs.

The Pioneers (9-8, 4-0 HCAC) sit in first place in the conference after the first two weekends of HCAC play. They return to action Monday with a doubleheader at rival Centre College in Danville, Ky. The games are scheduled to being at 5:30 p.m.