STRUTHERS, OHIO  --  The Hiram College baseball team earned a two-game split against North Coast Athletic Conference opponent The College of Wooster defeating the Fighting Scots in game one, 1-0, but losing the nightcap, 26-1, at Bob Cene Park in Struthers.

The win against Wooster in game one marked the first victory for the Terriers against the Scots since the 2008 season.  Strong pitching by both teams to go along with solid defensive play kept the game scoreless despite the teams combining for leaving 13 runners on base (Wooster, 6; Hiram, 7).  Following a one-two-three inning by Wooster (14-9, 5-1 NCAC) in the top of the seventh, Hiram (7-13, 4-6 NCAC) led off their half of the inning with an out, but then senior outfielder George Blake (Parma) hit a double to give the Terriers a runner in scoring position.  Freshman outfielder Kyle Torok (Kirtland) came on to run for Blake and a ground out on the ensuing Hiram at-bat allowed Torok to advance to third base.  On the very next at-bat, junior outfielder/pitcher Jaren Bell (Rochester, N.Y./Brighton) got a base hit to right-center field allowing Torok to score for the game-winning run.

Junior pitcher Pat Rhodes (Girard) started on the mound for Hiram and pitched six solid innings allowing no runs on four hits.  Junior Tanner Gilchrist (Ellwood City, Pa./Lincoln) came on in relief in the seventh and pitched an inning allowing no runs or hits and struck out one batter.  He also ended up with the win and is now 1-1 overall for the season.

In game two, the Wooster offense found its rhythm early scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, one in the second and then broke the game open with a seven-run third that included a pair of three-RBI homeruns to take an 11-0 lead.   Hiram scored what turned out to be its only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI-single by senior infielder Shane Haidet (Alliance/Marlington) that made the score 11-1.  But the Scot offense wasn't finished as Wooster put up six runs in the fifth, two in the sixth, five in the seventh and two more runs in the ninth to cruise to the 26-1 final.

Hiram had eight hits in the game with eight different players reaching base safely.  Haidet ended the game one-of-four to go along with the RBI. 

On the mound, seven Hiram pitchers would see action with Bell getting the start and pitched two-and-a-third innings allowing eight runs, five earned, on eight hits and struck out three hitters.  He was also credited with the loss and drops to 0-2 for the season.

Hiram will face Wooster again tomorrow (Sunday, Apr. 13) with the final NCAC doubleheader of the four-game series.  The Terriers and Scots will play at Eastwood Field in Niles.  The first game is scheduled to begin at noon.