GREENCASTLE, Ind. – May 13, 2021 – Hiram Terriers softball dropped game one of the NCAC Championship Series at DePauw by a score of 4-0.

The first inning was the lone frame where DePauw scored. Skylar Barnett led off the game with a hit by pitch. Caleigh Cramer and Grace Smith each then blasted two-run home runs to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.

Jeskari Rodriguez made the start for Hiram, but Kaitlyn Hager pitched the final 6.2 innings. Hager allowed just four hits with one walk.  The 6.2 innings of relief are the second-most innings pitched for Hager on the year. The senior's four strikeouts are also her second-highest amount of punch outs on the season. Hager retired six straight batters in the second and third innings.

The Hiram bats were kept in check throughout game one. The Terriers had three hits through the first five innings with no runs scored.

In the sixth inning, Mariah Sheffield walked and Angel Santellan reached on a fielding error. But Hiram was unable to do any further damage and DePauw got out of the inning unscathed.

DePauw ace Cami Henry was in the circle and pitched a complete game shutout. Henry had 14 strikeouts, allowing three hits and two walks. Her14 strikeouts tie a season-high for the right-handed pitcher, as she improves to 18-0 on the year.

Rodriguez dropped to 10-3 on the season with the loss.

Abriana Schwartz, Larissa Baeza and Hager tallied the three hits for Hiram.

Game two of the series will be tomorrow, Friday, May 14, at 12 p.m., and game three, if necessary, will be played following the conclusion of game two at approximately 2:30 p.m.