LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Hudson Chastain's single in the bottom of the ninth pushed Transylvania to 6-5 win over ninth-ranked Denison on opening day of the 2020 season.

The Pioneers' TJ Keck opened the scoring in the home half of the first with a double to the gap in right center that scored Chastain and Devyn Wilson-Cowan.

Denison responded in the next half inning with three-runs to take the lead. A one-out double by Brian McAuliffe and back-to-back free passes quickly loaded the bases for DU. The ensuing hitter, Cam Farren, was subsequently struck by a pitch to drive in McAuliffe. With two down, Max Lahn drove a single to center that scored Daniel Spencer and Vince Walker.

Trey Medford knotted the game at 3-3 in the third with a two-out base hit to left center. An errant play by the right fielder allowed Spencer to score, while an Anthony Ruggieri double down the line extended Denison's lead to 5-3.

Transy rallied to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh when a single by Riley Willbur and a ground out to second by Chastain each produced a run. Following a scoreless eighth and top half of the ninth, Wilson-Cowan opened the bottom of the ninth with a single through the right side. After a base on balls was issued to Willbur, Chastain deposited a single into left that brought the game-winning run home.

Ruggieri paced the offense with two hits, including a double, while also drawing a walk and driving in a run. Lahn finished with two runs driving in, while Will Krushena and McAuliffe also had extra-base hits. Henry Haack suffered the loss after giving up the lone run in the ninth. Starter Will McManaman gave up three runs on six hits over the course of five innings.

The Big Red wraps up the three-game series on Sunday with a doubleheader that is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.