GREENVILLE, PA. — The Hiram College baseball team was defeated by Thiel College, 16-6, today (Wednesday, Mar. 17) a single nine-inning non-conference game in Greenville, Pa. [Game Stats]
With the loss, the Terriers fall to 3-8 overall, while the Tomcats improve to 6-5 overall for the season.
Hiram took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning on a RBI groundout by senior All-North Coast Athletic Conference catcher Justin Street (Warren/Howland). Thiel answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to grab a 2-1 lead. The Terriers took the lead again in the second with three runs on a trio of RBI base hits by senior All-NCAC infielder Kyle Kovach (Garfield Heights), junior infielder Andy Richey (Petersburg/Springfield Local) and freshman outfielder Ian Sewolich (Cleveland/St. Ignatius). But the Tomcats battled back again with two runs in the second and broke the game open with a nine-run fourth inning to lead 13-4. Hiram tallied runs in the fifth and ninth innings, but Thiel would record three runs of its own in the bottom of the fifth en route to the 16-6 final.
Hiram recorded six hits in the game and was led at the plate by Kovach and Sewolich who both finished the game two-of-three. Both players also tallied a run scored and drove in a run.
On the mound, freshman Josh Weber (Lorain/Clearview) got the start, but suffered his second loss of the season and is now 1-2 overall. He pitched three and two-thirds innings allowing 13 runs on nine hits. Four other Terrier pitchers saw playing time with sophomore Ed Wolfe (Utica) pitching an inning-and-a-third giving up three runs on four hits and had one strikeout. Junior Bubba Thurner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear), junior Eric Schaffer (Kent/Roosevelt), and sophomore Steve Dunn (Westlake) each pitched an inning of relief. Schaffer posted a team-high four strikeouts.
Hiram is scheduled to host Oberlin College this weekend in the home and NCAC opener. The Terriers will take on the Yeomen on Saturday (Mar. 20) in a twinbill at the Robert O. Fishel Field and will also host Oberlin in a doubleheader on Sunday. The first game on both days is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email athoedtjm@hiram.edu.