Greencastle, Ind. - First-inning two-run homers by Caleigh Cramer and Grace Smith were all second-ranked DePauw needed as pitcher Cami Henry blanked Hiram, 4-0, in the opening game of the best-of-three North Coast Athletic Conference Softball Championship series. The Tigers improved to 33-2 with their 17th straight win, while the Terriers dropped to 24-16. DePauw can take the NCAC title with a win in tomorrow's Noon contest, while Hiram hopes to force a third game with a win.

Skylar Barnett was hit by the game's first pitch before Cramer hammered a two-run shot to right center. Becca St. Germain then walked and Smith followed with a two-run blast to left center to make it 4-0.

Hiram's Kaitlyn Hager entered the circle in relief of starter Jeskari Rodriguez and shut out the Tigers over the final 6 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out four with just three DePauw players getting into scoring position.

The Terriers managed just one runner reaching second off of Henry and that came in the sixth,

Paige Price had two of DePauw's six hits, while four different Terriers had one hit each.

Henry improved to 18-0 and tied her own school record for a seven-inning game with 14 strikeouts while recording her fifth shutout. Rodriguez dropped to 10-3.