TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Earlham College baseball team used two big offensive innings to defeat Transylvania University 12-6 to earn the program's first ever Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament win on Thursday.

The Quakers fell behind early as freshman Walter Talcott surrendered two runs in the first and second innings. Earlham got on the scoreboard in the third when junior Nate Lynch singled home junior Cody Krumlauf.

The Pioneers took a 5-1 lead in third on an RBI-single from Blake Hart.

After a scoreless fourth inning from both teams, Earlham's offense hit its stride in the fifth. The Quakers plated four runs on four hits and a Transylvania error to tie the game 6-6.

The Pioneers took the lead back one final time scoring a run in the sixth, but Earlham had the answer.

Junior Matt Barger and Lynch singles to begin the seventh inning, ending Transylvania starter Brayden Johnson's day. Tom Banahan, the Pioneers' reliever, gave up three walks and two hits while retiring just one batter. In total, ten Quakers came to bat with Earlham plating five runs on four hits to take a 10-6 lead.

The Quakers scored two more runs in the ninth.

Talcott, the reigning NCWBA Division III Pitcher of the Week, improved to 10-1 on the season with the win. Talcott allowed five earned runs in eight innings while striking out seven batters. The Lafayette, Ind., native is now the program's record holder for single season strikeouts with 86, passing Adam Painter's 82 strikeouts in 2011.

Earlham tallied 16 hits as a team. Barger finished 3-6 with a home run while Krumlauf added a 3-4 performance with three runs scored. Senior Brandon Smalling and junior Brennan Laird each finished one hit and one RBI. Both have 38 RBIs this season, leading the HCAC and tying a program record.

Trey Simpson led the Pioneers with three hits and a home run in defeat.

Earlham (28-12) will face the winner of Rose-Hulman and Manchester at noon tomorrow (Friday).