FT. MYERS, FLA  --  The Hiram College baseball team came away with a two-game split in a pair of nine-inning single games defeating Ohio Northern University, 12-3, in game one, but fell to Widener (Pa.) University, 9-8, despite trailing by as many as six runs, on the second day of the Terriers' annual spring trip to Florida.

With the split, the Terriers are now 3-1 overall.

In the early game against ONU, Hiram took control early with a six-run first inning.  The Terriers added to their lead with two runs in the top of the fourth to make the score 8-0.  Hiram struck for four runs in the sixth on a series of RBI singles by sophomore catcher/outfieder George Blake (Parma), sophomore catcher/infielder Tim Calhoun (Canton), and sophomore infielder Shane Haidet (Alliance/Marlington) to blow the game open with the score of 12-0.  The Polar Bears ended the shutout with two runs in the bottom of the inning, cutting the lead to 12-2.  ONU tallied the final score in the bottom of the eighth with a run, but the Terrier lead was too great as Hiram won 12-3.

Hiram finished the game with 13 hits and had two players record three hits.  Senior All-North Coast Athletic Conference infielder Torrey Stimson (Hudson/Walled Lake, Mich.) and Calhoun both finished the game three-of-four at the plate.  Stimson also scored three runs, while Calhoun scored a pair of runs and drove in two runs.  Blake and freshman infielder Mark Leone (Boardman) also recorded multiple hits.  Blake finished two-of-three with three runs scored and two RBI.  Leone posted a two-for-five effort with a run scored and a RBI.

On the mound, junior Travis Richey (Petersburg/Springfield Local) started the game and got the win, pitching six complete innings allowing two runs on eight hits and struck out three batters.  Freshman Tre Carpenter (Akron/Kenmore) pitched the final three innings giving up a run on three hits.

In the nightcap, Hiram struck first with three runs in the top of the third inning highlighted by a two-RBI single by senior catcher/infielder Randy Miller (Glenmont/West Holmes).  Widener narrowed the gap with a run in the fourth, and then took the lead with three runs in the fifth for a 4-3 advantage.  The Pride continued the scoring padding their lead with a five-run bottom of the sixth to extend the margin to 9-3.  Hiram then began to chip away at the Widener lead with two runs in the seventh and two more runs in the eighth, setting up a possible comeback heading into the final inning trailing 9-7.  The Terriers opened the top of the ninth with a walk by senior catcher Paul Yoculan (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep).  Freshman Kyle Myers (Kinsman/Badger) came on to pinch run and advanced to second on an ensuing wild pitch.  Following back-to-back outs, freshman outfielder Jeff Segal (West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield) found the outfield allowing Myers to score and also advanced to second on the play putting the tying run into scoring position.  But the rally fell short as Hiram recorded the final out in its next at-bat allowing Widener to hang on for a 9-8 victory.

Both teams finished the game with 15 hits.  Hiram was led at the plate by Miller who went four-of-four with three RBI.  Four other Terriers each recorded a pair of hits despite the loss.

Freshman Pat Rhodes (Girard) started the game against Widener and pitched five innings giving up eight runs, five earned, on 10 hits and struck out two batters.  Fellow freshman Logan Schaefer (Columbiana/Crestview) pitched the final three innings giving up one run on five hits.

Hiram will play a single nine-inning game tomorrow (Tuesday, Mar. 6) against Wilmington College in Ft. Myers.  First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.