The Denison softball team traveled to Marietta, Ohio and split a doubleheader with the Pioneers on Tuesday. The Big Red won a high-scoring affair in the opener, 11-8, but dropped a 3-2 decision in game two.

In game one, the Big Red pounded out scored 11 times and pounded out 13 hits in the win. The Big Red grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the top of the second when freshman Ricki Asher knocked in Lauren Secaras and Amanda Howell with a single to center field. After the Pioneers answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, Denison scored four times in their next trip to the plate to take a 6-1 lead. Howell delivered the big blow when she cleared the bases with a double to center. The freshman's extra-base hit scored Maddie Crull, Kerry Hager and Secaras. Howell later came around to score on a double down the left line by Ryan Lee.

Holding on to a 6-4 lead after four innings, pinch runner Erinn Henry extended the DU lead when she scored on a misplayed ball hit by Howell. The freshman scored her third run of the game one a sacrifice fly by Mckinly Vazquez. The Pioneers closed the game to two once again with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. In the sixth, Denison regained a five-run lead. Hager doubled in Sarah Herold, while base hits by Secaras and Howell scored Crull and Hager, respectively. Marietta tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the seventh. After trimming the deficit to 11-8, the Pioneers had the bases loaded with two outs. However, Secaras was able to strikeout Ariann Barlie to lock down her first-career save.

Howell and Secaras each recorded three hits. Howell legged out two doubles, knocked in four runs and scored three more, while Secaras also had an RBI and two runs. Hager finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs, while Crull scored twice and Asher drove in a pair. Herold picked up the win despite giving up six runs on seven hits in four innings of work. Secaras earned the save, surrendering two runs (one earned) on three hits in three innings of relief.

In the nightcap, Marietta opened the scoring with a single run in the second and two more in the third. The Big Red manufactured some late offense to pull within striking distance. Lee scored pinch hitter Maddy Cormier with a double to center in the sixth, while a two-out RBI double by Asher in the seventh brought home Howell. Marietta starter Jocelyn White ended the rally bid by getting Laura Bagan to pop out to second for the final out of the game.

Lee finished a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Secaras also collected two hits. Freshman Colleen Hoffman suffered the loss after surrendering three runs on six hits over six innings of work.

Denison moved to 8-8 on the year, while the Pioneers now sit at 11-11. The Big Red returns to action on Wednesday (March 30) when they open the home portion of their schedule with a doubleheader against nationally-ranked Heidelberg. Game one is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.