GREENCASTLE, Indiana – April 27, 2025 – Hiram was close to giving DePauw its first conference loss of the season, but the Terriers dropped both games of their road doubleheader against the Tigers, 3-2 and 9-1.
The two games marked a rematch of the 2024 NCAC Championship, when Hiram came one win away from advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. DePauw claimed that crown in 2024 and has since gone 12-0 in conference play in 2025, setting itself up to host another NCAC Tournament in Greencastle, IN.
Despite the losses, Hiram got multi-hit performances from Fayth Kawamura, Ari Torres, Hannah Marlow and Haven Papineau over the two games. Darian Kanno also worked six innings of three-run ball in the circle for Game 1, taking a hard-fought loss in what shaped out to be another strong effort.
In Game 1, Hiram drew first blood thanks to a leadoff double from Torres and an RBI single from Kawamura in the third inning. DePauw answered with each of the next three runs in the game, all of which were courtesy of its No. 3 hitter, Katie Mathies.
Marlow brought Hiram within one run in the sixth thanks to a sacrifice fly, but the game-tying run was stranded at third and the score stood at 3-2 in favor of the home team. Kanno stranded the bases loaded in the ensuing frame to keep it a one-run game, but DePauw held on despite another two Hiram singles in the seventh inning.
Game 2 was fueled by the long ball, as the Tigers launched three home runs as part of a nine-run outburst over six innings. That production was enough to secure the doubleheader sweep.
For the Terriers, Marlow had a single and double out of the fifth spot in the batting order, while Daynna Mekaru brought home the team's lone run on an RBI single up the middle in the fifth. Papineau also had her fourth multi-hit game of the year to highlight the rest of the offense.
Hiram will next take on a nationally ranked opponent in Case Western Reserve University on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. from Mather Park in Cleveland, Ohio. CWRU is currently ranked 17th in the NFCA Division III National Poll.
