HIRAM, Ohio - May 6, 2023 - Hiram capped off its season with a doubleheader split against DePauw (13-0 loss and 5-3 win) at Fishel Field, highlighted by a Senior Day celebration prior to Game 1 and clutch play in the late innings of Game 2.
Jack Conley allowed just 1 earned run over 8 innings in the second game (3 total runs) before Jacob Kocuba stranded the tying run on first base in the final inning of the season. Kobe Hunter made a highlight reel defensive play in the top of the eighth and hit the go-ahead RBI double in the bottom of the inning to help seal the win.
It was a day to remember for 19 Hiram seniors, all of whom were honored individually alongside their families. The group includes Kyle Adams, Tanner Allison, Sam Boyle, Alexander Zane Brown, Michael Corsillo, Evan Fairbanks, Robert James, Aidan Jantz, Jake Kamm, Stephen Javorek, Matthew Kardos, Jordan Mallernee, Chaisson Marrs, Vincent Pernotto, Daniel Quintero Jr., Zachary Scalf, Austin Smith, Alex Stevenson and Cody Wilson.
A majority of the group joined the team in 2019-20, with COVID-19 shortening its first season together in 2020 to 8 games. Since then, the Terriers have won over 40 games and compiled a winning record in the month of May throughout that span.
The Game 2 win closed out the 2023 campaign for the Terriers, who will look to improve even more this offseason heading into 2024.
Game 1 Recap
Hiram's entire starting defense consisted of seniors in Game 1, and its pitching staff for the first game included 7 different seniors over 7 innings: Javorek, Pernotto, James, Zane Brown, Boyle, Quintero Jr. and Scalf.
The Terriers would fall short in the game, although Marrs reached base three different times. Javorek, James, Boyle and Scalf all posted scoreless outings in relief as well.
Michael Vallone, a First Team All-NCAC Selection in 2022, pitched 7 scoreless innings to highlight the Tigers' strong start to the day.
Game 2 Recap
It was a balanced effort in Game 2, with Hiram having 7 different hitters record a hit and the pitching staff holding its opposition to 3-or-fewer runs for the first time since April 19 at Geneva.
Conley was the team's fuel throughout the game; the sophomore induced plenty of weak contact and limited the opposition to just 0.5 walks/hits per inning pitched over 8 innings, which tied a career-high. His final line was 8 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.
The offense kept pace with DePauw in the early innings, with Mike Midea (walk), Corsillo (single) and Hunter (fielder's choice) all driving in a run. The score stood at 3-3 through 3 innings and would stay that way through the seventh inning.
Hiram's game-changing rally came in the eighth inning, when Midea lifted a leadoff double and would eventually come around to score the go-ahead run on a Hunter RBI double. Matthew Trimble would add insurance and score a second run in the inning on a bases-loaded walk. In the top of the inning, Hunter made a diving catch next to the home bullpen to record the second out.
Kocuba shut it down for the Terriers, as he entered the game with runners at first and second and departed the game with those same runners stranded and a roaring home crowd behind him. It marked the 3rd save of the year for the reigning First Team All-NCAC selection.
