Recent Transylvania University graduate Luke Patton has signed with the Lexington Legends, a professional baseball team that shares a home field with the Pioneers.

The Ashland, Kentucky, native wrapped up his collegiate pitching career this spring after a standout senior season for the Pioneers. Patton appeared in 23 games, going 5-1 with five saves and a 2.13 ERA across 38 innings. He limited opposing hitters to a .167 batting average and struck out 37 - and he earned First Team All-Conference honors for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. His performance helped Transylvania capture the HCAC Tournament Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's third regional appearance in the past three years.

In 2024, Patton posted a perfect 6-0 record with 64 strikeouts over 70 innings in 12 starts.

Besides his stellar performance on the mound, Patton recently completed the ROTC program at Transylvania. He will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army this fall as an aviator. He was also recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate and finished at the top of his class at Mountain Warfare School.

"We are excited to welcome Luke to the Lexington Legends organization," General Manager Justin Ferrarella said. "Luke represents everything you want in a player and person. He is disciplined, competitive and an outstanding leader both on and off the field. We are proud to have someone of his caliber joining our organization."

In 2023, the Pioneers began playing all regular-season and postseason home games at Legends Field. The Atlantic League team noted that "with the two organizations located just minutes apart in downtown Lexington, the relationship has created a unique connection between professional and collegiate baseball while giving Transylvania student-athletes the opportunity to compete in one of the premier baseball venues in the commonwealth."

The Atlantic League is a partner to Major League Baseball.

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