McMINNVILLE, OR. — The 2026 season for the Transylvania softball team came to a close Saturday afternoon as the Pioneers fell to regional host Linfield 12-1 in the NCAA McMinnville Regional at Del Smith Stadium. Transylvania concludes the season with a 37-13 overall record after earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and advancing to the regional championship. Transylvania fell to Pacific Lutheran in the opening of region play, but rallied back on Friday to defeat Marymount and Pacific Lutheran to advance to the championship round of the McMinnville Regional against host Linfield.
Linfield jumped in front early with a two-run home run in the first inning before adding four runs in the second and five more in the third to build a double-digit advantage. The Wildcats totaled 13 hits in the contest and improved to 40-6 on the season.
The Pioneers scored their lone run in the top of the third inning. Emily Shearer opened the frame with a single and later scored on an RBI single from Avery Parsons to cut the deficit to 6-1. Parsons finished 1-for-3 with the RBI, while Kailey Goetz recorded a pair of hits including a double. Shearer added a hit and scored Transylvania's only run.
Raegan Gibson was charged with the loss in the circle, while Trinity Bridges, Maddie Goddard and Natalie Contreras also saw pitching action for Transylvania.
Transylvania University is a proud member of the NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of the Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.
