FORT MYERS, Florida - March 10, 2023 - The Hiram baseball team wrapped up its trip to Fort Myers with an 11-8 loss to Bluffton on Friday morning at Terry Park Field 3.

The Terriers trailed by as many as 5 runs in the game (6-1) before coming back with a 6-run fifth inning to take a 7-6 lead. The Beavers would ultimately prevail by scoring 5 of the final 6 runs in the game.

Hiram had a season-high 15 hits, including multi-hit efforts by Cody Wilson (3), Chaisson Marrs (3), Evan Fairbanks (2) and Mike Midea (2). Matthew Kardos threw 2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to keep the Terriers in the game.

The loss gives Hiram a 5-3 record with 10 more non-conference games still to play before NCAC competition starts on April 1 at Wittenberg.

Bluffton led 6-1 through the first 4 innings, tallying 7 hits at the plate during that span. Starter Stephen Javorek battled through an unearned run and got ahead in counts throughout the day.

Hiram made its move in the fifth inning, when they recorded 6 runs on 4 hits to pull ahead. Michael Corsillo had a 2-run double and Ben Yoder lifted an RBI single to center to cap off the inning.

The Beavers offense stayed consistent in the later stages of the contest, with 3 runs in the sixth inning and 2 runs in the seventh frame. Kardos limited the damage and pitched well in relief, as the Terriers now faced an 11-7 deficit.

Hiram once again scored in the ninth inning; pinch-hitter John Bender ripped an RBI single to cut the margin to 3 runs. Jack Towell, who had 4 hits as a hitter, closed the game out in the ninth inning on the mound.

The Terriers will travel back to Ohio before heading to Grove City, Pennsylvania to take on Grove City College on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.