GREENCASTLE, Indiana - May 10, 2024 - Hiram put up quite the fight on Friday afternoon, erasing a 4-0 deficit with a five-run fourth inning before ultimately falling, 12-5, in the second-to-last game of the NCAC Tournament.

With the loss and the double-elimination format of the event, the two teams will play again on Sunday at 11 a.m. in a winner-take-all game for the conference tournament title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

The final score wasn't indicative of how close the game was played; Hiram turned a four-run deficit into a one-run lead with six of its first seven hitters reaching base safely in the fourth inning. Fayth Kawamura and Darian Kanno capped off the frame with a pair of bases-loaded walks before Angel Santellan came inches away from a grand slam on a ball that was caught by the leaping left fielder.

It marked a promising rally from a team that hasn't backed down from adversity all season. DePauw went on to score the final eight runs of the game, but the Terriers again showed they were more than capable of beating the NCAC's regular-season champion.

Kanno reached base in three of her four plate appearances, driving in the go-ahead run in the fourth inning with the aforementioned walk. Kawamura also ripped a double in the home half of the third inning, which nearly knocked in the team's first run of the contest.

Kanno and Trinity Meza both worked hard in the circle, as just five of DePauw's 12 runs scored were earned runs. Kanno finished with a final line of 4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K as the team's starter.

Hiram will now turn its attention to Sunday, where it will have a chance to punch its ticket into the NCAA Tournament. The team will take the day off on Saturday before returning to DePauw Tigers Field for an 11 a.m. first pitch to close out the week.