Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania men's lacrosse team gained its first win of the 2018 season in convincing fashion, defeating the Baldwin-Wallace University Yellow Jackets 10-6 at Pat Deacon Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The win was Transylvania's first win against Baldwin-Wallace in program history as the home team put together a complete win from start to finish in moving to 1-2 on its young season.

The Yellow Jackets dropped to 3-2 after Wednesday's tussle with the Pioneers, 364 days after handing the Pioneers an 8-3 defeat at Pat Deacon Stadium.

In the 2018 edition of the clash between Transylvania and Baldwin-Wallace, the Pioneers' senior midfielder Josh Mesmer led the way with a hat-trick, including a game-tying and go-ahead goal early in the second half that propelled the Pioneers to a momentous finish.

Transylvania jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the game as sophomore long-stick midfielder T.J. Toivonen scored on the opening face-off, and freshman midfielder Kayd Aquino followed with another goal less than two minutes later.

Baldwin-Wallace asserted itself by scoring the final three goals of the quarter to grab a 3-2 lead.

The second quarter was a physical affair that evolved into a battle of the trenches, replete with a plethora of turnovers in each team's attacking box. Transylvania broke the seal on the net in the second quarter as Mesmer delivered a beautiful mid-air score flying from left to right by the net with 1:40 to go before intermission. Mesmer's score created a 3-3 halftime tie.

In the second half, Mesmer continued his artistry, firing off a laser shot to sting the Yellow Jackets for a 4-3 Transy lead. Mesmer's score boosted the Pioneers to a prolific third quarter in which they scored four of the five goals in the quarter on the way to a 7-4 lead.

The Yellow Jackets scored first in the fourth quarter to cut Transylvania's advantage to 7-5, but the Pioneers scored three straight goals down the stretch to take a 10-5 lead for an early-season signature win.

Alex Cherry registered two goals on Wednesday while junior attacker Nick Bailey, sophomore attacker Trenton Sneed, and Aquino each scored one goal and one assist apiece. Junior defender and Voice of the Pioneers, Logan Fogle led the team with six ground balls.

Transylvania outgained Baldwin-Wallace 37-25 in ground balls and was 22-for-25 on clears.

Freshman goalie Michael Webb picked up his first collegiate win, producing eight saves on the night.

The Pioneers complete a three-game homestand on Saturday, March 10 as they host Bethany College at 1:00 p.m. at Pat Deacon Stadium.

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