Lexington, Ky. - On Sunday afternoon, the Transylvania Pioneers softball team took on the Mount St Joseph Lions in the HCAC Championship match. The Lions came into the game having not lost any games in the tournament, so the Pioneers would have to beat them twice in a row to capture the HCAC crown. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so as the Lions took a 5-3 win, cutting the day short.

The Pioneers fought hard in the championship matchup, as they had all tournament long. They never once gave up along the way, which is exactly what had gotten them to the championship, where they nearly pulled off a dramatic two out rally to extend the season.

The first inning of the game went scoreless, as Alyssa Nunn singled, but was held from there. Mount St. Joseph went three up and three down as each batter grounded out to the pitcher, Carlee Jeter. 

In the second a well-executed bunt that was a tough play for the Transylvania infield led to a costly fielding error, and it resulted in a three run inning, as the Lions captured the early lead. The Pios responded in the top of the third with another Nunn single that brought home Abby Frazier, making the score 3-1. 

Mount St. Joseph plated another in the fourth to build a 4-1 lead, and inning after inning the Pioneers tried to kickstart a comeback but they lacked a big hit as the game wore on. In the top of the fifth, down 4-1, they went down after three straight foul out plays. It was another frustrating frame for the team as they were making contact but running out of time to turn things around. 

Another Lions run in the bottom of the sixth gave Transy a 5-1 deficit to overcome with one final inning remaining, but they would certainly not go down easily. 

In the bottom of the seventh, with their backs against the wall, a leadoff double by pinch hitter Carson Murray gave Transylvania life. Becca Messing and Stella Wulker each made solid contact but the ball would not drop their way, as both resulted in outs. 

Abby Frazier came up to bat as the last hope, and toughed out a walk despite being two strikes down. Down 5-1 with runners on first and second, Alyssa Nunn then came up to bat, looking for another big hit. 

Once again down to their final out, she ripped a ball down the right field line that skidded all the way to the fence for a triple. Two Pios scored, and it was a 5-3 game with the tying run at the plate. Unfortunately for Transy, it was another foul ball out, this time to the catcher, that ended the season.  

The Pioneers had a spectacular season, winning 28 of their 40 matchups on the year, good for a 70% win rate. During the regular season, the Pioneers dominated the conference with only 2 losses compared to 14 wins for an 88% win rate in league play. Head coach Shawn Hendrickson and the Pioneers had, yet again, another winning season and proved to be one of the most successful teams in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Selected to the All-Tournament team were Alyssa Nunn, Ry'Ann Tharp, and Abby Frazier who all excelled throughout the tournament both offensively and defensively. 

For more information on Transylvania softball, follow @TransySoftball on Twitter.