The Big Red softball team split a pair of games on Thursday in Tucson, Ariz. Denison shut out St. Joseph's Brooklyn, 3-0, before falling to Puget Sound, 2-1.

Against St. Joseph's (0-2), the Big Red received a strong showing inside the circle from freshman Lauren Secaras in the shutout victory.  Over the course of seven innings, Secaras scattered just two hits and struck out six batters. The lone hiccup in her line were five walks issued to the Bears.

Secaras' pitching performance was backed by three runs in the first two innings. Senior Julie Rooney led off the bottom of the first with a double, advancing to third on the play by way of an outfield error. Fellow senior Emily Lipsitz followed with another double that scored Rooney. The doubles party continued when sophomore Lindsey Kenyon ripped a two-base hit to center that plated Lipsitz.

In the second, freshman Erinn Henry got things going when she reached first on an error with two down. Rooney went on to plate Henry from first with a double to left field.

Rooney led DU with a pair of doubles, a run and an RBI, while Kenyon and Kerry Hager also recorded two-base hits. The Big Red's other three this came from Lipsitz, Henry and freshman Mckinly Vazquez.

Cassandra Molinari and Destiny Marino registered the Bears' lone hits, while Stephanie Rancel swiped a bag. Pitcher Theresa Armano took the loss inside the circle after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Against the Loggers (3-17), Denison broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. Marlie Mounts, Ryan Lee and Vazquez loaded the bases with three-consecutive one-out singles. Mounts scored the go-ahead run on a ground out to short by Hager.

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth when Puget Sound would strike for two off the bat of Marissa Jeffers. Jeffers tied the game with a single to center that scored Erica Gott. The eventually game-winning run also touched the dish on a misplayed ball in center. The Big Red got the game-tying run in scoring position in the seventh, but Jaci Young induced a pop out to the catcher to end the game.

Rooney and Vazquez each went 2-for-3 to pace the DU offense. Rooney and Secaras had the team's only extra-base hits. Sophomore Erin Laswell was saddled with the loss after surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits with two strikeouts.

Jessica Gott went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Loggers at the plate. Young gave up one run, scattered eight hits and fanned two in the victory.

Denison (5-3) will close out their spring break trip on Friday against NAIA Dickinson State (11 a.m. EDT) and Lewis & Clark (1 p.m. EDT).