STRUTHERS, OHIO  --  The Hiram College baseball team was defeated by John Carroll University, 14-6, in a non-conference single nine-inning game at Bob Cene Park in Struthers.

The Terriers fall to 8-24 overall with the loss and the Blue Streaks improve to 15-13 overall for the season.

JCU recorded the game's first runs scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead.  Hiram later cut the deficit in half with a run in the top of the fourth on a pair of defensive errors, making the score 2-1.  But the Blue Streaks answered the run with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to extend the lead to 6-1.  The Terriers got two of the runs back in the very next inning with a bases loaded walk by senior catcher/infielder Randy Miller (Glenmont/West Holmes) and a bases loaded sacrifice fly by sophomore outfielder George Blake (Parma).  JCU responded again to the Hiram scores in its half of the inning crossing the plate three times and added two more scores in the sixth to increase the margin to 11-3.  The Terriers looked to make another run in the seventh with three runs coming via a pair of RBI singles by Miller and Blake and a sacrifice fly by sophomore infielder/catcher Tim Calhoun (Canfield) narrowing the gap to 11-6.  But JCU put the game away with two runs in the bottom of the seventh and one more run in the eighth to go on to the 14-6 final.

Hiram ended the game with four hits with Miller, Blake, senior designated hitter Paul Yoculan (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) and freshman infielder Mark Leone (Boardman) each recording a base hit.  Miller finished the game one-of-three with two runs scored and two RBI.  Blake went one-of-four overall with a pair of RBI.  Yoculan posted a one-of-two effort with a run scored and Leone ended up one-of-four.

Four pitchers would see action for Hiram with junior Travis Richey (Petersburg/Springfield Local) getting the start and went three and two-thirds innings allowing six runs, none earned, on eight hits and struck out four batters.  He was also the pitcher of record and suffered his first loss of the season, dropping him to 3-1 on the year.

Hiram will travel to Erie, Pa. for a non-conference doubleheader against Penn State-Behrend on Sunday, Apr. 22.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.