KISSIMMEE, Florida - March 10, 2025 - The Hiram softball team started the 2025 season on a high note, as Darian Kanno performed well on both sides of the ball in a doubleheader split against Western New England (2-1 win) and Washington & Jefferson (6-4 loss).
Kanno recorded her sixth career game with 10+ strikeouts in Game 1 before tallying three hits of her own in Game 2 to begin a 2025 season that figures to have the senior in the All-American conversation.
It was a day of firsts for the Terriers, too. Not only did the team earn its first win of the season, but first-year Ari Torres had the go-ahead RBI hit in her collegiate debut in Game 1, while sophomore Sammy Ochoa kept Hiram close in her first collegiate appearance in the circle in Game 2.
Game 1 Recap
Kanno was in midseason form in the team's season opener, working seven innings without allowing an earned run. The Bearcats scored a run on an error in the sixth inning, but Kanno escaped and kept the team's lead intact to earn the win: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K.
Hiram earned that lead in the second inning, when Megan Moser, Danielle Robles and Torres each found a crease in the defense for a trio of singles. Torres delivered the go-ahead knock in her first collegiate at-bat, bringing home Moser on an infield single to shortstop.
The Terriers added insurance in the sixth inning, when Angel Santellan, who led the team with 36 RBI in 2024, singled home Fayth Kawamura. Kanno also singled in the inning, as the trio of seniors lifted Hiram to a 2-0 lead.
Kanno would take it from there in the circle, as she allowed just one opposing baserunner to advance past second base for the entire game.
Game 2 Recap
Ochoa was in the circle for Game 2, a big opportunity for the sophomore to step up against a future PAC opponent. The Long Beach, CA native was up for the challenge, allowing just three runs over the first five innings of the game, which ended in a 3-3 tie.
Hiram's returning players were responsible for those three runs, with Kanno doubling in a run in the first before former all-conference selections in Daynna Mekaru and Danielle Robles each drove in runs on a pair of hits in the fourth frame. Robles and Kanno combined for five hits in the contest.
W&J took the lead by scoring four runs between the fifth and sixth innings; the Presidents finished with 14 hits. Hiram answered on another RBI single from Santellan, but the deficit would remain, 6-4, following the final out.
What's Next
Hiram will return to action on Tuesday, when it takes on Otterbein (1:30 p.m.) and Wheaton (4:15 p.m.) at the Fortune Road Fields in Kissimmee, FL.
