By: Andrew Korba

HIRAM, Ohio -- The Hiram College baseball team split a pair of high scoring affairs against Wittenberg during NCAC Crossover Weekend on Saturday.

The Terriers (9-27, 4-14 NCAC) took Game 1 by a 12-10 score, but the Tigers (10-23, 5-13) prevailed in the nightcap 14-7.

In Game 1, Hiram wasted no time getting on the board.

Senior Jaren Bell (Rochester N.Y./Brighton) doubled to lead things off and senior Jeff Segal (West Bloomfield, Mich./North Farmington) followed with a 2-run homer to right center. The home run was the first of the year for Segal.

Wittenberg would get on the board in the fourth inning, but Hiram benefitted from two unearned runs in the bottom of the frame to expand its lead to 4-1.

The Tigers would respond with four runs in the top of the fifth to jump in front 5-4. But the Terriers would have an answer again, get a 2-RBI double from freshman Kyle Watson (Warren/Howland) to retake a 6-5 lead.

Hiram would add six runs in the sixth to open up a 12-5 edge. Freshman Phil Ward (Garfield Heights) had a 2-RBI single and senior Ron DeAmicis (Austintown/Fitch), junior Trevor Foster (Warren/Champion), freshman Tyler Carcioppolo (Seven Hills/Normady) and Watson each had RBI hits.

Wittenberg would not go away and would respond with five runs in the top of the seventh to pull within 12-10, but would get no closer the rest of the way.

Senior Nate Weiss (Warren, Mich./University Liggett) fired six innings, giving up four earned runs and striking out five batters for his third win of the season.

Foster led the Terriers with three hits, while Watson and Ward each finished with two.

In the second game, Hiram got two runs in the first inning on a 2-RBI double down the right field line from DeAmicis to jump out to an early 2-0 lead.

But the Tigers would counter with a nine run second frame and added a run in the third to open up a 10-2 edge.

The Terriers would come right back by scoring three times in the fourth on RBI hits by Segal and Ward cut the deficit to 10-5.

Hiram added a run in the sixth on a RBI single by Segal, but the Tigers responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to make the score 11-6.

Wittenberg would add three runs in the eighth and the Terriers would get one back in the ninth when sophomore Brandon Chesmar (Elyria/Amherst Steele) singled home sophomore Brandon Gros (Ravenna/Kent Roosevelt). Hiram would continue its scoring threat, but was unable to score.

Segal paced Hiram witha 4-for-4 effort, while scoring two runs and driving in two. Bell added two hits and came around to score three times.

Freshman Jake Evanoff (Salem/West Branch) gave up one earned run over four innings of relief work for Hiram.

The two teams will close out the 3-game weekend series with a single game on Sunday, beginning at noon.