Lexington, Ky. – Picking up from where she left off last week, senior Krista DeBurger smacked another three home runs in a doubleheader sweep of Spalding at Hall Field on Friday night.

The Pioneers captured their seventh and eighth straight wins, taking Game One, 10-8 and Game Two, 9-1 as they continued their longest winning streak since the 2010-11 when they won 15 consecutively.

The current streak is the longest the Pioneers have reached under second-year head coach Shawn Hendrickson as they earned their final wins in nonconference regular season play for 2016.

The Pioneers began the run-manufacturing process early and often in Game One as they posted two run each in the first two innings, and three more in the third for a 7-2 advantage after three innings.

As she was at home last Tuesday against Mt. St. Joseph in a pair of 7-6 victories, senior slugger Krista DeBurger blasted three home runs in the doubleheader with the first two coming in punctual moments in Game One.

DeBurger commenced the Game One scoring with a two-out, two-run home run to score Brittany Mumford for a 2-0 advantage. Senior Katie Hulsman and freshman Brittany Mumford each delivered RBIs in the second inning to raise Transy to a 4-0 start.

Transylvania cultivated a 7-2 lead thanks to a Jessica Powell RBI single with the bases loaded. Hulsman followed with a sacrifice fly RBI and Shelby Gambrell delivered an RBI single to center field to provide the scoring in the third for the home team.

DeBurger slammed another home run with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning for an 8-2 Transylvania lead. The Pios would add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a comfortable 10-3 advantage.

Spalding mounted a furious rally late in the top of the seventh inning with five runs, but senior Jamie Lutes came in to close out any final threats from the Golden Eagles, and the Pioneers sealed Game One.

Freshman pitcher Jenna Stiles took the win for Transylvania, while the hitting standouts included Brittany Mumford (3-for-5, one RBI), DeBurger (2-for-4 with three RBIs), Shelby Bailey (2-for-4), Shelbi Poehlein (2-for-4, one RBI),  and Powell (2-for-3, one RBI).

The Pioneers began Game Two with even more momentum than they experienced in the first game of the day, quickly tabbing five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mumford led off the bottom of the first with a base hit, and a double by Bailey put two runners on for Transylvania. After DeBurger struck out for the second out of the inning, the Transylvania bats began boiling.

Meg Liter delivered a clutch two-RBI single to post a 2-0 lead for Transylvania. Poehlein, Powell, and Hulsman then all followed with base hits to quickly help the home team build their lead to five runs.

Following Transylvania's first-inning explosion, the game became a race against the Eagles and daylight, as the collection of lightning delays had pushed back the Game Two start to a 6:50 p.m. first pitch in Lexington.

Game Two starter Jamie Lutes helped push the pace for the Pioneers, as she retired the side in both the first and third innings, and made quick work of the Spalding order in the fourth inning as well. Lutes got the win in five innings of work, collecting four strikeouts while just allowing two hits, one earned run and a walk.

Spalding and Transylvania each traded one run apiece in the second inning as the game cruised along. In the bottom of the fourth inning, it was third baseman Meg Liter who put the game out of reach for Spalding.

With Bailey and DeBurger on board, Liter powered a deep shot to centerfield for a three-run homer to hand her Pioneers a 9-1 advantage heading into the fifth inning. Lutes came through with two strikeouts in the final frame to close down shop for the Pioneers as they sealed their eighth straight win.   

Friday's wins also ensured the Pioneers softball program with their first winning regular season since 2011-2012, when they went 19-17-1 prior to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference postseason tournament.

The Pioneers resume HCAC play on Saturday as they host Manchester for a Senior Day doubleheader. Hulsman, Lutes and Ashley Frees will be honored for their four years spent with the Pioneers during intermission of the two games as the Pioneers aim to increase their grasp upon first place in the HCAC standings. First pitch for Game One of Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Hall Field.

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