ADRIAN, MICH. – The Hiram College softball team defeated Alma (Mich.) College, 4-0, in its first game of the 2011 NCAA Division III Tournament today (Thursday, May 12) hosted by Adrian College in Adrian, Mich.

With the win, the Terriers improve to 26-12 overall and the Scots fall to 33-7 overall.

Hiram took an early lead scoring two runs in the top of the first inning with RBI singles by senior two-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference catcher Jena Ervin (Canfield) and freshman shortstop Jessica Bolanz (Randolph/Waterloo) to give the Terriers an early 2-0 lead. Hiram added runs in the second and third innings on a defensive error and a RBI single by junior All-NCAC outfielder Marlene Smith (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) increasing the margin to 4-0. The four runs would be all the Terriers would need as freshman All-NCAC pitcher Alyssa Lane (Randolph/Waterloo) pitched a complete game shutout to seal a 4-0 victory.

At the plate, Hiram tallied six hits and was led by sophomore All-Region first baseman Alee Singer (Bath/Revere) who finished two-of-four with a run scored. Four other Terriers each recorded a hit in the win.

Lane pitched all seven innings and claimed her 14th win of the season and is now 14-7 overall. She allowed no runs on five hits and struck out four batters.

Hiram advances to the winner's bracket and will face Baldwin-Wallace College tomorrow (Friday, May 13) at 4 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.