By: Abbey Lipcsik

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Hiram College softball team fell short in their third day of play at the Tucson Invitational, dropping both matchups against NAIA institutions Dakota State (S.D.) and Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.).

The Terriers were defeated 6-3 by the Trojans before falling to the Tigers 15-2.

The Trojans quickly got to work in game one, driving in six runs on five hits. Despite this early burst of momentum, the Hiram defense would hold Dakota State scoreless through the remainder of the game.

Hiram got their first run of the game in the bottom of the third. After a single by Heather Pahoresky, Makenzie Dombrowski and Nikki Budner both hit sacrifice bunts to advance Pahoresky to third. Kourtney Holcomb then singled to drive home Pahoresky to make the score 6-1.

The Terriers would not score again until the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and Pahoresky on first, Budner doubled to bring home Pahoresky to cut the Tiger lead to four (6-2). Holcomb then walked to put Terriers on first and second. A single from Marley Oles scored Budner to cut the Dakota State lead in half. However, Alexus Acton lined out to short, ending the Hiram run.

Although the Terriers got on base in the final two innings, they were unable to prevail and the Trojans secured the win. 

Shalynn Call was the first pitcher to step on the mound for Hiram, allowing six runs and five hits in less than one inning of work. Senior Brittany Zajac then stepped in to finish the game, giving up the same number of hits and no runs.  

This marks the first shutout performance for Zajac. Prior to the game, the senior averaged giving up 7.5 runs per inning.

The Tigers also jumped quickley in game two, scoring all 15 of their runs within the first three innings.  

The Terriers scored their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the third. With Acton on second with two outs, Budner singled to bring in Acton to put Hiram on the board. After a walk from Holcomb, Oles singled to right field to score Budner for the second and final run for Hiram. 

Dombrowski made the start for the Terriers. In her 1.1 innings of work, she allowed seven runs on three hits. Brooklynn Grein came in to finish the second inning, only to give up three more runs in the process. The Terrier coaching staff then put Call back on the mound for the second time of the day to pitch the final three innings of the game. The freshman finished the game allowing five runs on six hits.

Overall, Budner, Holcomb and Oles led the Terrier offense. Over the course of the day, the three Terriers recorded two hits apiece. Five out of the six total hits resulted in RBIs.

The Terriers will be back at it tomorrow when they face Aquinas and Newbury College at 11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. MST.