Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania baseball team wrapped up the home portion of its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule by dropping a pair of games to the Manchester University Spartans at Marquard Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans improved to 18-19 overall and evened their record in HCAC play at 8-8 while the Pioneers dropped to 5-9 in conference and 15-20 overall.

Sophomore catcher Cole Ratliff led the Pioneers with three hits on the day, while freshmen Michael Blair and Wade Lopiccolo each tallied two RBI on the day.

The afternoon began with a 2018 Senior Day celebration as the Pioneers paused to honors their three seniors in Taylor Henley, Jared Williams, and Rex Rogers. 

Getting the start for Transylvania in game one was freshman Evan Hall, who tallied five strikeouts and gave up four earned runs in six innings of work. Hall also recorded the loss for Transylvania.

The Pioneers found themselves behind early, trailing the Spartans 6-0 midway through the third inning.

Rogers started the Pioneers' rally in the bottom half of the frame, ripping a double down the left field line and then scoring two batters later. Freshman infielder Hudson Chastain also tallied a run, scoring on a Spartans throwing error to cut the deficit to 6-2. 

After giving up two more Manchester runs in the top of the eighth, the Pioneers made their move in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs on three hits and three walks.

However, Manchester held strong, adding an insurance run in the top of the ninth to seal the 9-7 victory.

Taking the mound for the Pioneers in game two was freshman Colton Hartig, who recorded three strikeouts and gave up four runs in five innings of work en route to picking up the loss.

The Pioneers stayed within striking distance of the Spartans early in the game, trailing just 1-0 through five innings. However, Manchester opened up the lead by scoring four runs in the top of the sixth.

Transylvania was unable to produce any offense over the final three innings of the game as the Spartans cruised to the 5-0 victory.

The Pioneers will next be in action on Tuesday, May 1 when they travel to Anderson, Indiana to face the Earlham College Quakers in an HCAC doubleheader. First pitch between the Pioneers and the Quakers is set for 4:00 p.m. at Randal R. Sadler Stadium.

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