FRANKLIN, Ind.—The Transylvania University baseball team outlasted the Franklin College Grizzlies in a back-and-forth affair in the opening game of their Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekend series. The Pioneers scored single runs in the third, fourth and eighth innings before posting two runs in the ninth to seal the win.

Transy was held scoreless in the top of the first and Franklin scored the first run of the game in the bottom half of the frame after a bases loaded hit by pitch gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the third when the Pioneers manufactured a two-out run to even the score at one apiece. With two outs in the inning, starting pitcher Trey Simpson walked and stole second base to move into scoring position for right fielder Connor Blevins. Blevins delivered an RBI line drive single to center field to bring Simpson around to score.

Franklin responded in the bottom of the inning however to retake the lead after two singles and a sacrifice fly to grab a 2-1 lead. The Pioneers again fought back to tie the game in the top of the fourth after second baseman Kody Ross hit his first home run of the season, smacking a 2-2 fastball over the left field fence.

The score would hold at 2-2 until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Grizzlies again scratched across a run, this time coming off a throwing error from the Pioneers. Trailing 3-2 entering the top of the eighth, Transylvania found a way to push across another run and even the score yet again. Third baseman Rex Rogers led off the inning with a strikeout but reached first base safely on a wild pitch. Center fielder Kameron Schwartz bunted Rogers over to second and also reached safely after an error by the Franklin pitcher. Simpson stepped to the plate with runners on first and second and laid down a flawless drag bunt for a single to load the Blevins. Blevins fought off several tough pitches before grounding into a double play that scored Rogers to tie the game at three.

The tie would not last long, however, after Franklin pushed a fourth run across in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 lead. The Pioneers geared up in the top of the ninth and scored two runs to take the lead for good. First baseman Taylor Henley led off the inning with a double to left center before being pinch ran for by Aaron Johnson. Isaac Taylor came to the plate as a pinch hitter and laid down a well-executed sacrifice bunt that moved Johnson to third baes with one out. A balk by the Franklin pitcher sent Johnson to score the tying run and brought life to the Pioneers' dugout. Ross delivered his second big hit of the game, this time pulling a double down the left field line. An aggressive Ross gave the Pioneers their fifth run of the game after he stole third base and then scored on a wild pitch by Franklin.

In the bottom of the ninth, Franklin threatened, loading the bases with two outs but Tom Banahan came in and shut the door for Transy inducing a weak ground ball to third base for the final out of the game.

Matt Birkenhauer picked up the win, working 2.2 innings of relief for the Pioneers and Banahan picked up his second save of the young season. Simpson gave the Pioneers a quality start, striking out nine batters in five innings of work while yielding just two runs.

Transylvania benefited from seven hits, led by two from Ross. 

Transylvania moved to 2-0 in HCAC play with the win and will look to clinch the series during a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch is slated for 12:00pm.