The Denison softball team opened the 2015 season with a split at the Tucson Invitational Games on Sunday in Tucson, Ariz. The Big Red began the day with an 11-3 loss in five innings to 16th-ranked Central. DU rebounded from the loss with a 10-2 win over Edgewood in five innings.

Against the Eagles, the Big Red scored in all but one of the five innings. Freshman Lauren Secaras paced the offense going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs and a run scored. In addition to logging four hits, Secaras also finished a triple shy of the cycle in just her second college game. Denison wasted no time grabbing the early lead when senior Julie Rooney scored on a Secaras single up the middle.

In the bottom of the inning, freshman Sarah Herold had a strong start in her debut inside the circle. Herold fanned the first batter she faced as a collegiate pitcher. After giving up a single to center, the first-year hurler registered back-to-back strikeouts to retire the side. In the top of the second, Herold helped her own cause with her first-career hit. After freshman Erinn Henry and Rooney reached base via single and walk, respectively, Herold drove them both in with a double down the left line.

Denison added to its lead in the third when Secaras opened the frame with a home run to left. Later in the inning, Rooney pushed DU's lead to 5-0 with a base hit that scored freshman Mckinly Vazquez. Sophomore Lindsey Kenyon followed with a two-out triple to right center that scored Henry and Rooney. Secaras returned to the plate in the fourth where she roped a double to right center. Unfortunately, the freshman was left stranded at third base.

In the fifth inning, Secaras stepped to the plate for the fourth time looking for a triple to complete the cycle. With the bases loaded and two outs, the freshman first baseman blasted another double to the gap in left center that allowed Kenyon and Rooney to touch the dish. Freshman Marlie Mounts scored the Big Red's third run of the inning on a wild pitch by Shannon Whitmus.

Edgewood broke up the shutout bid with a pair of two-out runs in the fifth. The game came to an end when Kenyon fired a strike to Rooney who tagged out Kylie Clark trying to swipe third.

In addition to Secaras' offensive production, Rooney also went 2-for-2 with two walks, four runs and an RBI. Kenyon and Herold each had an extra base hit and a pair of RBIs, while Henry scored twice and stole one base. Herold picked up her first-collegiate win as a pitcher after scattering two hits and striking out three in three shutout innings of work.

Seven different players registered a hit for Edgewood. Sabrina Maicke had the only extra-base knock, a double, and Jackie Diesch registered the only RBI. Kayla Updike and Alexis Unser scored the Eagles two runs. Rachel DeJongh took the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits in 2.2 innings.

Against No. 16 Central, the Big Red jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the second inning. Rooney drove in sophomore Ryan Lee with an RBI single to left. Vazquez scored the second run on a wild pitch, while Kenyon plated senior Emily Lipsitz with an infield single to third.

Despite falling behind early, the Dutch rallied to score five runs in both the third and fifth and a single run in the fourth. The five-run fifth allowed 16th-ranked Central to secure the victory. Rooney finished with two of Denison's six hits, while Kenyon, Secaras, Lee and Lipsitz had the other four. Sophomore Erin Laswell (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits in 4.1 innings.

Denison (1-1) continues its spring break trip on Monday (March 16) in Tucson, Ariz. The Big Red will face off against Wisconsin-La Crosse at 2 pm EDT before a taking on No. 16 Central (4:30 pm EDT) for the second time in as many days.