FORT MYERS, Florida - March 5, 2024 - Hiram used the big inning to its advantage on Tuesday morning, as a four-run fourth inning erased a 2-0 deficit and eventually lifted the team to a 7-6 victory over Rockford University at Terry Park.

It's the team's first win over Rockford since 2003; the Regents had won the previous five games in the all-time matchup. The Terriers also move to 2-2 this season, with four more games remaining on their Florida trip.

Hiram fell behind early, 2-0, on a two-run homer by Jake Bilotta, which marked the only hit off Sam Boyle. The senior was in command throughout the day, filling the zone with strikes and finishing with a final line of 5 IP, 1 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

Boyle was the winning pitcher thanks to Hiram's four-run fourth inning. Matthew Trimble knocked in a run on a bases-loaded walk, Connor Bansek came around to score on a throwing error, John Bender lifted a sac fly and Evan Fairbanks singled in a run to give the Terriers a 4-2 lead. 

One inning later, Chaisson Marrs was hit by a pitch before coming around to score on a stolen base attempt by Bansek. It was the kind of savvy move on the basepaths that has made Marrs one of the team's difference-makers atop the batting order.

Another two runs would score on a Bansek RBI single and the first collegiate home run for Bender, who wrapped a fly ball inside of the left-field foul pole to move the score to 7-2. Rockford would strike for four runs in the top of the ninth inning, but a fielder's choice would strand the tying run on base.

Hiram will seek a winning record on Wednesday, when it takes on Bluffton at Terry Park Field 3 on Wednesday at 12 p.m.