The Big Red softball team extended its winning streak to four games on Thursday afternoon after walking off with victories over previously unbeaten Wisconsin-La Crosse (9-1) in six innings, and Augsburg (4-3) in eight frames.

Thursday's opener pitted Denison against its second undefeated opponent this week.  The Eagles entered Thursday's contest with an 8-0 record, which included a victory over fourth-ranked Central.  That 8-0 start didn't affect the hot-hitting Big Red at all as they pounded out 15 hits over the course of six innings.

After retiring UW-La Crosse in order in the top of the first, Denison jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the inning.  Back-to-back infield singles and a base-on-balls by the first three DU batters quickly loaded the bases with no outs.  Senior Meghan Edwards cashed in on the golden opportunity with a base hit up the middle that placed Julie Rooney and Kerry Hager.  Eagles' pitcher Megan Nelson escaped jam without further damage behind a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to center.

Denison added to its lead in a big way with a five-run third inning that featured six hits, four of which were extra-base knocks.  Back-to-back doubles by Erin Laswell and Edwards resulted in DU's first run of the inning.  Senior Gretchen Staubach quickly made it a 5-0 contest with her first home run of the season.  A follow-up double by freshman Ryan Lee ended Nelson's day inside the circle. With runners now at second and third with only one out, senior Heather Larsen dropped a single down the left field line that plated both Lee and classmate Rachel Laughlin.

Wisconsin-La Crosse broke up the shutout bid in the fourth when a base hit through the left side by Kelli Anderson scored Alecia Faber from third.  The Eagles continued the rally, eventually loading the bases with two outs.  However, Denison senior pitcher Rebecca Dyer got out of the jam after inducing a ground ball to Rooney for the third out.

The Big Red got the run back in the fifth when Hager roped a single up the middle that scored Laughlin.  In the sixth, Denison needed just two batters to complete its third-consecutive run-rule victory.  Edwards opened the inning with a base hit to left.  After moving to second on a wild pitch, Staubach belted a double to left field that easily scored Edwards from second, ending the contest in the bottom of the sixth.

All nine DU batters reached base safely, with eight of those hitters registering at least one hit.  Edwards went a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.  Hager finished with three hits, an RBI and a run scored, while Staubach drove in three runs on two hits (a double and a home run).   Laughlin also logged two hits and scored twice, while Larsen drove in a pair.  Dyer improved to 2-1 on the year after surrendering one run, scattering six hits and striking out four in six innings of work.

Nelson suffered the loss inside the circle after allowing six runs on seven hits in two innings. Despite her troubles on the rubber, Nelson accounted for three of UW-La Crosse's six hits after going a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish.

In the nightcap, DU took the early lead when Hager left the yard for the first time in her young career.  After Rooney reached on a single to right, the freshman outfielder took an Olivia Boerschinger pitch over the wall in left field. The lead was short lived, however, as Augsburg generated three runs in the top of the second to grab a one-run lead.

The score remained 3-2 until the fifth inning. After loading the bases with a walk surrounded by two infield singles, Laswell tied the contest with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Ellen McDevitt-Stredney.  The Auggies had a chance to regain the lead in the top of the seventh after a leadoff single and two ground outs put the go-ahead run at third.  However, a strikeout by senior Kelsey Hager slammed the door on Augsburg's threat.

As the two teams heading into extra innings, the international tie-break rule came into effect.  With a runner placed at second to start the eighth, Kelsey Hager and the Big Red defense retired the Auggies in order which kept the pinch runner as second.  In the bottom of the frame, Denison Head Coach Tiffany Ozbun unconventionally called for a sacrifice bunt with one out already on the board.  Laswell successfully gave herself up, moving Rooney to third base.  With two outs, Edwards beat out an infield single to short that allowed Rooney to touch the dish, capping off the second walk-off win of the day.

Kerry Hager finished with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs, while Rooney scored twice, including the game-winning run.  Laswell and Edwards also had RBI-hits.  Kelsey Hager tossed all eight innings, allowing three runs on seven hits.  The senior hurler also struck out seven batters and issued just two walks.

Denison (5-3) closes out its spring break trip in Tucson on Friday. The Big Red will take on Gustavus Adolphus at 9 a.m. and Pomona-Pitzer at 1:30 p.m.  Both start times are Mountain Standard Time.