HIRAM, OHIO  --  The Hiram College softball team lost both games of a North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader, 6-2 and 6-3, against Denison University at Myrtis E. Herndon Field on senior day.

In game one, Denison (22-14, 10-6 NCAC) got on the board first with a run in the top of the first inning to take the early lead.  Hiram (12-24, 6-10 NCAC) took over the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs that included a RBI double by sophomore Angela Perella (Lyndhurst/Beaumont) making the score 2-1.  But the Big Red added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings that included a solo homerun in the sixth, and then broke the game open in the top of the seventh crossing home plate three times to take a 6-2 advantage.  In the bottom of the seventh, the Terriers recorded two quick outs to begin the inning.  Following a base hit by senior Danielle Reddinger (Lorain/Southview), Hiram made the final out on a pop-up which sealed the 6-2 victory for Denison.

Hiram had four hits in the game with four difference Terriers reaching base safely.  Perella, Reddinger, freshman Jessica Wahl (Akron/Ellet) and junior All-NCAC outfielder Sarah Loyer (Barrie, Ontario/St. Joseph's) all finished one-of-three at the plate.  Perella also added a run scored and a RBI.

On the mound, freshman Meghan Garland (Mineral Ridge) started the game and pitched six-and-a-third innings, but would suffer the loss.  She allowed five runs on nine hits and had four strikeouts.  Fellow freshman Taylor Miller (Kent/Roosevelt) came on to pitch two-thirds innings in relief giving up one run on two hits and struck out one batter.

In the second game, Denison took the lead with a solo homerun in the top of the second inning and went on to add two more runs in the third to leadl 3-0.  Hiram evened the game in the bottom half of the frame with a bases clearing double by Perella with bases loaded.  But the Big Red quickly regained control with three runs of its own in the fourth to make the score 6-3.  Denison held Hiram scoreless the rest of the way and clinched a 6-3 victory and the two-game sweep.

Offensively, Hiram finished with six hits with Loyer and freshman Danielle Latine (Eastlake/North) both recording a pair of hits.  Loyer went two-of-four and scored a run, while Latine went two-of-three at the plate.  Perella ended the game one-of-four with three RBI.

Freshman Sarah Berger (Rittman) started game two on the mound and pitched two and two-thirds innings giving up two runs on four hits and had one strikeout.  Garland pitched two-and-a-third innings of relief giving up four runs on four hits and struck out one batter.  She was also credited with the loss and falls to 10-11 overall for the year.  Miller pitched the final two innings allowing no runs on two hits.