NEW CONCORD, Ohio – March 26, 2025 – Hiram softball displayed its versatility on Wednesday against Muskingum, winning a low-scoring affair in Game 1 (5-0) before scoring its most runs in a game since 2018 in a Game 2 win (17-6).
Lillie Greene tossed her first career shutout to open the day before Darian Kanno improved to 8-0 in the circle and had nine RBI – including a program-record seven RBI in Game 2 – over the two games as a hitter.
It marks the second straight season in which Hiram has swept the Fighting Muskies and extends the program's longest winning streak in the all-time matchup between the two teams to four.
Game 1 Recap
Greene was the star of the show in the first game; the first-year from North Lewisburg, OH didn't walk a batter and surrendered just six baserunners – none of whom came in the same inning – for the entirety of her outing. Not only did she earn her first career win, but she also racked up a shutout along the way with a final line of 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K.
Muskingum's Tareyn Born matched Greene over the first three innings before the Terriers offense totaled five runs on five hits between the next two frames. Kanno broke the scoring barrier with an RBI double and Haven Papineau executed a safety squeeze to score Kanno from third base – Hiram took a 2-0 lead through four innings.
More insurance came in the fifth inning, when Ari Torres doubled and Danielle Robles extended her career-long hitting streak to nine games with her first collegiate home run. Kanno later added another RBI hit, giving Greene all the run support she needed to finish the game in convincing fashion in the circle.
Game 2 Recap
Hiram took a different route to victory in Game 2, with the offense scoring 17 runs on 15 hits over just a five-inning contest. The 17 runs were the program's most in a single game since it scored 17 runs against Rockford in March of 2018.
Kanno opened the scoring yet again with a two-run homer in the first inning; the senior later belted a three-run homer to center field to propel her team to the dominant offensive performance. Her seven RBI set a new program record for a single game, while she also became the third student-athlete in program history to reach 15 career home runs (Jessica Bolanz 24, Chastine Romanello 16).
Kanno was also in control as the relief pitcher in the game, working 4.2 innings and allowing just two hits and two unearned runs. Her 8-0 record is by far the most wins without a loss by any pitcher in the NCAC this season.
The Terriers faced a 4-2 deficit after the first inning, but tallied five runs in each of the next three innings to pull ahead, 17-4. Robles' hitting streak reached 10 games with a three-hit day atop the batting order, while Fayth Kawamura and Daynna Mekaru combined for four hits and four RBI in the next two spots in the lineup.
Beyond the scoring, Hiram also drew five walks and only struck out twice over the course of the non-conference affair.
What's Next
Hiram will return to the field on Sunday, when it hosts Kalamazoo for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at Myrtis E. Herndon Field.
