Powered by two more outstanding pitching performances, Denison completed a four-game sweep of DePauw University on Tuesday from Big Red Field in Granville.  The Big Red won game one, 5-0 behind a complete game shutout by Ian Walsh.  In game two, three Denison pitchers combined to allow just one run in a 4-1 victory.

In game one, DU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when a throwing error by the first baseman who was attempting to go to second base for the force out, overthrew the bag allowing Jack Blanchard to score the game's first run.

In the second, a one-out double by Sam Frazen set the table for Blanchard who slapped a base hit through the left size, scoring Frazen and Tanner Johnson.

The 3-0 lead held until the bottom of the fifth when Eric Zmuda drove in Evan Flax with a base hit to left after Flax and Noah Hahn opened the inning with back to back singles.  The Big Red's final run scored in the sixth when Jake Meegan's RBI single scored Frazen who doubled to right to start the frame.

Walsh scattered four hits and walked only one in his 7.0 innings of work.  He struck out four and improved to 4-0 on the season while lowering his ERA to 3.28 in 24.2 innings pitched.   Blanchard and Frazen were 2-for-3 at the plate.  Blanchard drove in two runs while scoring one.  He also stole three bases.

DePauw starter Mike Hammel suffered his first loss of the season as he allowed four earned runs off seven hits in 5.1 innings pitched.

In the nightcap, Mikey Rivera got the start and pitched 5.0 innings to improve to 3-1 on the year. DU scored two in the first inning via a two-run single by Flax.  The lead grew to 4-0 after the third inning when Zmuda and Hahn provided consecutive RBI singles off Tiger starting pitcher Andrew Quinn.

In the top of the fourth, DePauw scored its first run of the day when Ryan Grippo drove in Collin Einertson who reached base via a double to left field.

In the sixth, Denison went to the bullpen and Connor Hanrahan who pitched into the eighth.  With DU leading 4-1, DePauw was looking to mount a comeback in the top of the eighth when Lucas Italiano singled to start the frame and pinch hitter Cade Jones reached base with a walk.  Denison's defense was fantastic throughout the series and in the final two innings, the double play proved to be the pitchers best friend.  With two runners on and no outs, Hanrahan got Collin Einertson to ground into the 4-6-3 double play.  After Hanrahan walked the next batter, Mike Deegan went to senior reliever Adam Goldstein for the four-out save.

Goldstein got Connor Einertson to pop up to end the eighth.  In the ninth, pinch hitter Zack Wade opened the inning with a single to right, but another 6-4-3 double play would squash any thoughts of a Tiger rally.  Goldstein would get Reid Pittard to fly out to Jake Meegan in left to end the game.

Rivera allowed one earned run off seven hits while striking out four in his five innings of work.  He improves to 3-1 on the year with the victory.  Hanrahan did his job in 2.2 innings of effective relief work, opening the door for Goldstein to earn his first career save in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Blanchard again went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.  Tanner Johnson had DU's only extra-base hit in game twoJake Meeganble down the left field line in the seventh. Jake Meegan was 1-for-4 with a run scored.  He has now reached base safely in all 20 games this season.

Denison (15-5, 4-0 NCAC West) has won six-straight games and the pitching has been fantastic over that stretch.  Over the last 51.0 innings, DU pitchers have allowed only five earned runs while striking out 38.  The team ERA over that span is a minuscule 0.88.

DePauw drops to 11-13 on the season and 2-6 in NCAC West play.

DU's next scheduled game is Saturday, April 16 when they start a four-game series at Wittenberg.  Thursday's 9-inning game with Capital had to be cancelled due to an Ohio Athletic Conference scheduling conflict.