MEADVILLE, Pennsylvania – April 15, 2024 – Hiram's offense showed fight on Monday afternoon, scoring three runs after facing an 8-0 deficit and then scoring four runs after falling into a 15-3 hole, but the two big innings weren't enough in a 17-7 loss to Allegheny at Garbark Field.

Hal Walker Jr., Connor Bansek and Evan Fairbanks each had three hits in the game, highlighted by a two-run homer by Fairbanks. The senior catcher now has 16 career home runs, which ties Hall of Famer Josh Toot for the fifth-most in program history.

The Gators scored the first eight runs of the game over the first two innings before Walker Jr. hit an RBI single and Fairbanks lifted his seventh home run of the year over the left-center field wall. The last Terriers student-athlete to reach seven home runs in a single season was Kyle Workman in 2022 (eight).

Allegheny lived up to its performance up to this point in the season; the Gators entered play with a 16-7 record, including a 9-1 record at home. The team scored three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings before tacking on another three runs over the final two frames.

The remainder of the Terriers offense came in the form of a pair of two-run singles off the bats of Fairbanks and John Bender. Despite the deficit in the game, Hiram finished with a double-digit hit total (11) for the fifth straight game.

Hiram will return home on Wednesday, when it will take on Bluffton University for the third time this season (went 1-1 in Florida). First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. from Fishel Field in Hiram, Ohio.