GREENCASTLE, Indiana - April 23, 2023 - Hiram and DePauw faced each other for the first time since the 2022 NCAC Tournament championship on Sunday, a pivotal conference doubleheader for the two preseason favorites to win the NCAC this season.

The matchup lived up to the hype.

Darian Kanno lifted the Terriers to a 5-4 victory in Game 1 with a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning, while the Tigers had a 5-run fifth inning that helped them to a 6-2 win in Game 2.

Hiram is 17-13 overall and 4-6 in the conference this season, with 4 NCAC matchups remaining between Kenyon on Wednesday and Wooster on Saturday.

Game 1 Recap

Kanno had a complete performance to start the day; the sophomore was dominant in between the circle, working 7 innings of 4-run ball. She didn't allow a run after the second inning.

The offense was fueled by the long ball, with Abriana Schwartz hitting her 5th career home run – also her 1st of the 2023 campaign – and Kanno driving her 5th career home run as well (3rd of season). It marked Hiram's first game of the year with multiple home runs.

Kanno pitched best with the game on the line; the Terriers trailed 4-3 after 2 innings and wouldn't allow a run any further than that. Kanno finished with a winning line of 7 IP, 7 H, 4 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

Game 2 Recap

Trinity Meza put Hiram in a good spot to start Game 2, working 2.2 innings without allowing an earned run (1 unearned run). Kylie Perez doubled in a run and Kanno had an RBI single through the right side to give the team a 2-1 lead through three innings.

DePauw would make its move in the fifth inning, scoring 5 runs on 5 hits to regain a 6-2 advantage. Hiram nearly matched the Tigers' hit total for the day (7 to 9), with Victoria Garcia adding 2 hits, but the big inning proved to be the difference in Game 2.