CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - February 28, 2026 - Hiram dropped a pair of tough non-conference games on Saturday at VA Memorial Stadium, as the team got a strong pitching effort in Game 1 against Albion and had multiple chances to pull out the victory in Game 2 against Penn State Behrend, but ultimately lost both games by scores of 11-3 and 6-5 respectively.
Game 1 Recap
Starter Nicolas Chernitsky anchored the Terriers to open the day, working six innings with just three earned runs charged to his ledger. Albion strung together five consecutive hits as part of a three-run third, but Chernitsky was around the strike zone all day long and finished with a quality start: 6 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K.
Hiram's Andrew Fawver came off the bench to make his collegiate hitting debut; the sophomore got the team on the board with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and later added a single. Logan Gallentine accounted for the team's first hit in the game in the seventh inning (double) before Ben Yoder knocked him in with an RBI single.
Kian Drummonds capped the first game of the day with a two-run single, but a six-run eighth inning from Albion proved to be too much to overcome.
Game 2 Recap
Similar to their first game of the weekend, the Terriers struck first on an RBI single by Luke Snider to plate Tyler Fernandez. Penn State Behrend would then add six straight runs to grab a five-run advantage, which later proved to be too close for comfort in a nail-biter of a contest.
Hiram scored four runs in the sixth inning to trim the margin to one run; four of the first five hitters in the inning recorded a single, including the first-year tandem of Lex Lear and Drummonds, who each had an RBI as well. A wild pitch brought home another run and Yoder capped off the rally with another RBI single.
The Terriers loaded the bases in the seventh inning and ninth inning, but couldn't crack the scoring column and bring home the game-tying run.
What's Next
Hiram will next head to Fort Myers, FL for the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic beginning on Sunday, Mar. 8 with a doubleheader against Augustana. First pitch is slated for 9 a.m.
