Denison senior Julie Rooney became the softball program's all-time leader in hits in game two of a doubleheader at Capital University on Thursday afternoon. The Big Red won the nightcap, 12-11, but dropped a 13-3 decision in game one.

Rooney entered Thursday's doubleheader needing just four hits to break Erica Evans' career mark of 187 hits. After going 0-for-3 in the opening game of the twinbill, the senior opened the second game a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to become the new program leader in hits with 188. Rooney recorded a single to open the first, second, third and fourth innings of game two. She will enter Saturday's senior doubleheader against Ohio Wesleyan one double shy of tying the school record set by Alex Murray '10 (46).

With one on and one out in the first, sophomore Kerry Hager belted her first home run of the season to give Denison the early lead. Anna Balch knocked in DU's third run of the frame with a bases-loaded single that scored Lauren Secaras, while Emily Lipsitz's ground out to second allowed Ryan Lee to score.

The Crusaders matched Denison in the bottom of the frame with four runs on four hits and one error. However, the Big Red plated four runs in both the second and third innings to take a 12-4 lead. In the second, Lee ripped a single down the left line that scored Rooney and Mckinly Vazquez, while Balch and Lipsitz recorded back-to-back singles that scored Lee and Marlie Mounts, respectively.

Rooney scored her third run of the game on a sacrifice fly to right by Secaras in the third. Lee followed with a two-run triple that plated Hager and Vazquez. After a third Capital pitching change, Mounts singled in Lee to give Denison an 8-run advantage.

After scratching across a run in the third, the Crusaders made it a game thanks to a six-run fifth inning. Capital looked to tie the game in the sixth with runners at second and third and two outs, but Secaras got Ashley Knowles to strike out swinging to escape the jam.  The freshman hurler went on to retire the side in order in the seventh to secure the split.

In addition to Rooney's four-hit, three-run performance, Hager, Lee, Mounts and Balch also logged a pair of hits in the win. Lee drove in a game-high four runs and scored three more, while Hager, Balch and Lipsitz each knocked in a pair. Vazquez and Hager also touched the dish twice. Sophomore pitcher Erin Laswell notched her sixth win of the season after tossing 4.1 innings.

In game one, Capital scored in all four of their trips to the dish en route to the 10-run win. Laswell took the loss after giving up three earned runs with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Mounts provided the lone offense spark with a three-run home run in the second innings. Secaras and Lee both scored on the freshman's second home run of the season.

Denison moves to 15-17 overall, while Capital sits at 26-11. The Big Red returns to action on Saturday when they host rival Ohio Wesleyan on Senior Day in Granville. Game one of the North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.