Denison broke open a one-run game with a five-run eighth inning that eventually sent the Big Red to its second victory of the season, a 7-1 decision over The State University of New York at New Paltz, on Tuesday afternoon in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Coming off back-to-back losses to Heidelberg and Manchester on Monday, Denison looked for a fast start against the New Paltz Hawks. Senior pitcher Kyle Colgain set the tone in the top of the first facing the minimum three batters. After striking out Richard Guido and getting Jake Williams to fly out to center, Colgain issued a base-on-balls to Stanley DeLaCruz. The New Paltz second baseman would not have an extended stay on the base paths though as he was caught trying to steal second by the senior hurler.

DU led off the bottom of the frame with back-to-back doubles by Tanner Johnson and Georgie Montes to grab an early 1-0 lead. The Big Red doubled their lead in the third when Montes crossed the dish while senior Lascelles Lagares was in the middle of a run down between first and second.

Both teams would go on a four-inning scoring drought that ended in the eighth. New Paltz cut the deficit to one in the top of the inning when Mike Sparacino knocked in Guido with a base hit to left. However, that's all the Hawks could muster as Big Red reliever Andrew Bruss struck pinch hitter Robert Fitzpatrick out looking.

Denison would blow the game open, however, with a five-run bottom of the eighth. A pair of miscues helped the Big Red plate the five insurance runs. In the ninth, Bruss struck out Anthony Diana and Jeff Sara for the first two outs before getting Andrew Dinardo to ground out to Jack Blanchard at second.

Johnson and Montes paced the DU offense with two hits and two runs apiece, while Charlie Apfelbach, Nick Marsit, Zac Lewinski and Tucker Davison combined DU's other four hits. Colgain earned his first win of the year after scattering five hits and striking out five in seven strong innings. Bruss nailed down his first-collegiate save after giving up an unearned run and fanning three over the final two frames.

Denison improves to 2-2 on the year, while SUNY-New Paltz falls to 1-6. The Big Red returns to the field on Wednesday when they take on Farmingdale State for the second time this season. First pitch against the Rams is slated for 11 a.m.