KOKOMO, Ind. – Rose-Hulman's magical HCAC Tournament run has come to an end in the HCAC Championship. The Transylvania Pioneers finished the tourney with an unbeaten record, winning by a score of 11-2.
Mason Rasmussen and
Michael Hines each recorded singles to the outfield for Rose-Hulman's first two hits of the game.
Max Finn hit a single up the middle for Transylvania in the second inning, and he scored the opening run on an RBI double to left field from Brenton Alcorn. The Pioneers were able to add to their lead in the third, as Ethan Dillon and Chris Hedinger hit back-to-back home runs to put the team up 4-0.
Issei Takahasi and
Connor O'Connell added two more hits for the Fightin' Engineers with singles to center field in the third and fourth innings.
The Pioneers were able to extend their lead in the fourth as Kaden Ford scored on an RBI groundout. They would add two more runs on a two RBI single down the left field line from Trevor Watkins, making it a 7-0 game.
Connor Smith took the first pitch of the fifth inning out to left field for a single, and he would later advance to third on a fly out.
TJ Pipkins brought him on the first pitch of his at bat as well, on an RBI double to right center field.
Hines recorded his second hit of the game in the sixth inning with a double over the right fielder's head.
The Pioneers recorded three singles in the sixth, and they scored two runs on groundouts to add to the lead by a score of 9-1.
Tyler Orr closed out the sixth inning by recording a strikeout, and
Nicholas Douglas added three straight outs after subbing in to wrap up the seventh.
O'Connell posted a single to center field in the eighth inning, before
Matthew Furtado smacked a double out to left field.
Chris Hedinger opened the bottom half of the eighth with a solo home run, and the Pioneers would add another run as they were walked with the bases loaded.
Kole Miller subbed into the game late in the eighth, and he struck out consecutive batters.
Jackson Summers reached first on an error with two outs in the ninth, and he proceeded to steal second. He scored the final run of the game as Pipkins hit an RBI single up the middle, concluding the game with a final score of 11-2.
Tyler Orr and
Jackson Summers each hauled in HCAC All-Tournament Team honors.
Orr was instrumental in Rose-Hulman's run as he posted a 2-0 record on the mound with wins over #5 Anderson in single elimination and #1 Earlham in the HCAC Semifinals. He recorded a 1.50 ERA, giving up just two runs across 12 innings pitched. He struck out 12 batters, highlighted by a career-high eight strikeouts against Earlham, where he did not give up a run.
Summers hit a sensational 11-24 (.458) in the HCAC Tournament, recording six runs, three doubles, one home run, and a team-high 11 RBIs. He hit 4-5 in Rose-Hulman's opening win over #6 Franklin, while hitting four RBIs. In the team's HCAC Semifinals win over #1 Earlham, Summers gave Rose-Hulman an early lead as he cracked a three-run home run over the left field wall.
Rose-Hulman's phenomenal season has ended with an overall record of 26-19, while going 17-11 against HCAC opponents. The Fightin' Engineers achieved a mark of 4-2 in the HCAC Tournament, winning more games than any other team in the tourney.
