FORT MYERS, Florida - March 5, 2023 - It was a smooth start to the season for the Hiram baseball team, as the Terriers applied pressure early and rode a strong performance from starter Jack Conley in a 12-6 win over Muskingum on Sunday afternoon at Terry Park Field 3.
Conley went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, a quality start that also earned him his 2nd career victory. The offense battered Muskingum for 12 runs on 13 hits to propel the team to a 1-0 record to start an 8-game road trip in Florida as part of the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.
"The offense went out there and got us runs," Conley said. "It was a great way to start the year."
Hiram scored 3 runs – all with 2 outs – in the bottom of the 1st to take an early 3-0 lead. The offense showed patience, earning 4 walks in the frame.
Conley pitched with runners in scoring position in the second and third innings, but worked out of trouble both times without any damage. He attributed a lot of his success to his command of the strike zone.
"Staying ahead in counts, getting soft contact," Conley said.
The only remaining damage on Conley's final line was a pair of RBI singles in the 4th and 5th innings. He finished with 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K.
"Didn't have the strike-out stuff today, but got soft contact and the fielders played their positions well," Conley said. "Everything worked out."
The offense roared back with crooked numbers in the 4th and 8th innings. Kyle Adams had a big two-run double to the left-center field gap in the 4th before Kobe Hunter and Connor Bansek had a pair of two-run hits in the 8th.
The top of the Terriers batting order – Cody Wilson, Hunter, Bansek and Hal Walker Jr. – went a combined 8-17 at the plate, with 7 RBI and 6 runs scored. Tanner Allison also had a 2-hit day out of the sixth spot in the lineup, giving Conley and the Terriers bullpen more than enough support.
"Starting on the right note was huge," Conley said. "We need to keep this going in the next two games tomorrow."
Hiram will look to do just that when it plays a doubleheader against Pitt Bradford beginning at 9 a.m. at Terry Park Field 4.
