Lexington, Ky. - The Transylvania softball team completed an undefeated 2016 homestand with a strong pair of wins against the Manchester Spartans, winning 6-4 in Game One and 9-1 in a six-inning Game Two final.

The day was nothing short of storybook for the Pioneers and their three seniors honored on Senior Day 2016 – infielder Katie Hulsman, outfielder Ashley Frees, and pitcher Jamie Lutes, who finished off the day with a Game Two win.

From a narrative perspective, the doubleheader victory was a picture-perfect way to send the three seniors and one of the most successful teams in Pioneer softball history into the sunset.

Observing the proceedings with an eye on the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings, the Pioneers took control on an important day with one week to go in the season; with today's pair of wins, Transylvania improved to 11-1 in HCAC play, good for first place and a game ahead of second-place Anderson in the conference standings.   

Today's wins also ensured the Pioneers no worse than second place in the HCAC standings.

The imperative victories over Manchester lengthened Transylvania's season-high win streak to 10 games, continuing their sizzling march through the month of April, now 12-2 after Saturday's results.

Transylvania controlled the momentum throughout the course of the afternoon despite charges by the Spartans in the fourth and seventh innings. Jenna Stiles got the start and the win in Game One, tallying six strikeouts in six innings, while issuing just one walk and three earned runs on the day.

Krista DeBurger and Meg Liter provided Stiles with immediate scoring relief in the first inning with a pair of RBIs to give Transylvania a 2-0 lead they would never relinquish. The Pioneers again applied pressure in the third and fourth innings with a combined four runs as Liter led the way again with RBI singles in both innings to key the explosion. The three-run inning in the fourth inning was the perfect response by the Pioneers, who answered Manchester's two-run output in the top half of the frame.

Leading 6-2, the Pioneers weathered a late charge by Manchester to hold off the Spartans with the 6-4 victory. The Pioneers outhit Manchester in Game One 12 to 7, thanks in part to Liter's big 4-for-4 day and freshman cohort Shelbi Poehlein hitting 2-for-4. Shortstop Shelby Bailey was also productive at the plate, hitting 2-for-4 to maintain offensive consistency for the host team.

In Game Two, the Pioneers again continued their April pattern of saving their best for the nightcap. Entering the afternoon, Transylvania had outscored opponents in Game Two of their doubleheaders 48 to 18 over their past seven doubleheaders. The Pioneers stayed true to form, outscoring Manchester 9 to 1 in Game Two of the day.

While it took until the third inning for the Transylvania bats to significantly awaken, Lutes looked eased and ready on her senior day start as she pitched all six innings on the way to the victory. The senior retired the side in the first inning, and a string of efficient innings followed as the Pioneers took a 1-0 lead to the bottom of the third inning where they opened up the game.

Riding a hot streak of six home runs over her last four home games, first baseman Krista DeBurger stepped up to bat with senior Ashley Frees and Shelby Gambrell on the corners. With a big swing, DeBurger swatted another home run to left field, her seventh in the last two weeks to raise Transy's lead to 4-0.

Transylvania aimed for more in the fourth inning and scored twice more. With two outs and two runners on at first and second for the Pioneers, freshman Brittany Mumford hit a hard double to left center field to bring in Poehlein for a 2-0 advantage. Shelby Gambrell subsequently followed with an RBI single that scored pinch runner Miranda Mathews and the Pioneers had all the scoring they needed.

The Pioneers took a 7-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning and needed just two runs to put the game away a bit early with the eight-run rule. Shelby Gambrell scored from third base after a passed ball at the plate by Manchester to put the Pioneers within reach of their goal. With DeBurger aboard at third, Poehlein hit a double into the outfield to drive in DeBurger for the final score of the game and a perfect regular homestand for the Pioneers at Hall Field in 2016.

Transylvania improved to 21-10 overall and 11-1 in HCAC play. They now look ahead to the most crucial week of their season, two road doubleheaders against HCAC foes that will determine their postseason seeding. On Thursday, the Pioneers will visit Hanover before taking on second-place Anderson on Sunday, May 1.

The Pioneers have taken control in the month of April; their greatest test lies ahead this week but so too, does their greatest reward: a potential outright HCAC regular season title.  

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