The Denison softball team picked up its first North Coast Athletic Conference win of the season after splitting a doubleheader with Allegheny on Saturday in Meadville, Pa.  The Gators won the opener 8-0 in 6 innings, while the Big Red rebounded with a 3-0 victory in game two.

In the nightcap, Denison needs just three runs to support the stellar outing by senior pitcher Rebecca Dyer.  In seven innings of work, Dyer struck out a career-high 13 batters and had just two hitters reach base safely.  The lone hit allowed was a double by Sadie Stuart in the fourth inning. Stuart was also hit by a pitch in the first inning. With the win, Dyer moves to 3-2 on the year. She also picked up her 18th career shutout after keeping the Gators off the board.

Offensively, the senior pitcher was backed by a pair of early home runs from senior Meghan Edwards and freshman Ryan Lee.  Before Dyer even entered the circle she given a two-run lead thanks to a two-out, two-run homer from Edwards.  The senior's second home run of the year cleared the center field wall, scoring freshman Kerry Hager from second. Denison extended its lead in the third inning when Lee went yard for the first time in her young collegiate career.  With one out, the freshman second baseman sent an Allison Cabo pitch over the left field wall.

In addition to the homers by Edwards and Lee, junior Julie Rooney also had a double. Senior Rachel Laughlin and freshman Anna Balch recorded the other two DU hits.

In game one, Allegheny pounded out 10 hits and scored eight times in the six inning victory.  Caitlin Nealer pitched a gem, scattering three hits and striking out eight en route to her fifth win of the year.  Halea Hayden, Belle Mazurik and Stuart all had two hits.  Stuart led the charge with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs scored, while Hayden drove in a run and touched the dish three times.

Rooney, Edwards and Lee recorded the three hits for DU.  Freshman pitcher Erin Laswell suffered the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.  Senior Kelsey Hager threw an inning out of the pen, allowing two runs on three hits with two walks.

Denison moves to 7-7 overall and 1-3 in the NCAC, while the Gators sit at 6-13 and 1-1 in league play.  The Big Red continues conference play tomorrow when they host Hiram in a make-up twinbill from last Saturday.  Game one against the Terriers is scheduled for 1 p.m.