GAMBIER, Ohio - April 26, 2023 - The Hiram softball team picked up a pair of key wins on Wednesday at Kenyon, winning Game 1 (9-0) and Game 2 (13-3) in a commanding fashion.

The two victories improved the team's conference record to 6-6 with 2 NCAC games remaining in the regular season. The top-4 teams in the conference will make the postseason tournament, with the Terriers currently 6th.

Darian Kanno pitched a complete game shutout in Game 1 and added a pair of hits on the offensive end. Seven different Hiram hitters had at least 1 RBI in the 9-0 victory.

More of the same dominance followed in Game 2, with Angel Santellan working 3 scoreless innings in between the circle and Victoria Garcia and Kanno leading the offense out of the fourth and fifth spots in the batting order.

Next up for Hiram is a doubleheader against Wooster on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. from Myrtis E. Herndon Field.

Game 1 Recap

Hiram was quick to jump on top in the opening game, scoring 3 runs in the first inning and 1 run in the second. Kanno, Santellan and Kawamura each recorded RBI singles during that span, while Kanno retired 6 of her first 7 hitters.

The offense returned for more in the fourth frame; Danielle Robles (2-run single) and Kylie Perez (sacrifice fly) highlighted the 5-run inning with a pair of quality at-bats. Kanno continued to hang zeroes on the scoreboard as the pitcher and finished with a final line of 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 9 K.

Kanno finished the job by striking out two straight batters with runners at first and second. The game ended after 5 innings.

Game 2 Recap

Every Hiram starter recorded either a hit or RBI in Game 2, with the 1-2-3-4-5 hitters each having multiple base knocks and a combined 7 RBI (Robles, Perez, Giselle Bahena, Kanno, Garcia). The team's 16 hits in the game marked its most in any game this season (previous: 15 vs Ohio Wesleyan on April 8).

Garcia was responsible for the early damage, lacing RBI singles in the first and third innings. Abriana Schwartz added an RBI single of her own to give Hiram a 5-0 lead through 3 innings.

Kanno rounded out her day with a 3-run homer in the fourth inning; the long ball marked her 4th of the season and 6th of her career. The sophomore is already tied for 10th on the program's all-time home run list.

Santellan, Jeskari Rodriguez and Trinity Meza combined for 5 strong innings in between the circle to keep the team's lead intact. Kenyon scored 3 runs in the fourth before Meza shut it down in the fifth inning.