LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Chicago baseball team captured both ends of a road doubleheader at Transylvania University by scores of 5-2 and 15-10 on Saturday.

The Maroons improved to 5-0 while the Pioneers fell to 3-5.

Game One – UChicago 5, Transylvania 2

A big performance from starting pitcher Sam Bennett highlighted the opening game. The sophomore right hander struck out eight batters while only allowing two runs on three hits over his seven innings. After Transylvania hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning, Bennett proceeded to strike out the next three batters to end the frame.

Bennett avoided any further trouble until the seventh when the first two batters reached base. But a fielder's choice, a strikeout and a flyout to third base ended the threat. Junior David Clarke closed out the final two innings to earn the save, striking out two.

UChicago's offense provided the lead with three runs early on. Sophomore Carson Weekley knocked an RBI single in the first inning, which was followed in the second inning by run-scoring singles courtesy of junior Eisuke Tanioka and senior Payton Jancsy. Then in the seventh, first-year Blane Soper provided some insurance with a two-run single to center.

The Maroons collected seven hits and made one error defensively. Tanioka went 2-for-3 while Weekley was 2-for-5.

Game Two – UChicago 15, Transylvania 10

Game two of the doubleheader was a much more offensive-minded affair – the two teams combined for 32 hits. Defense came back to bite the Pioneers as the home team committed six errors.

Once again it was the Maroons who struck the early blow, going up 3-0 through two innings. Sophomore Brett Riegler's single and an error on the shortstop plated a pair of runs, later followed by sophomore Benjamin Rosengard's RBI single up the middle.

But Transylvania steadily produced throughout the middle innings, scoring eight of their runs between the third and sixth innings to draw ahead 8-4.

UChicago capitalized on miscues in the top of the seventh with three unearned runs coming courtesy of a wild pitch, an error and a double play. Jancsy's sacrifice fly in the eighth drew the Maroons even closer at 9-8.

Then in the ninth inning, the floodgates opened. The visitors rallied back in a big way, scoring seven runs on a mere three hits. An error, a hit-by-pitch, two walks and a passed ball helped extend the frame. Junior Brian Lyle's fielder's choice tied the game, and senior Nate Handley's RBI single gave UChicago a 10-9 lead. Two walks with the bases loaded and a passed ball scored three more. Riegler then smacked a two-run single to left field.

Transylvania put one on the board in the bottom of the ninth to account for the 15-10 final score.

Riegler swung a potent bat as the catcher went 5-for-6 in the batter's box with four RBI. Hendley collected three hits in his five plate appearances. Weekley went 2-for-5, while Rosengard was 1-for-2 with two RBI and four walks.

Five different pitchers saw action. Senior Patrick Rogers struck out five in his three-inning start. The relief corps included first-year Michael Allegri, first-year Cole Silva, junior Chandler Yu and senior Arno Curtis, who collected the win.

NEXT GAME:

• Sunday, Mar. 8 @ 12:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at Transylvania