The Denison softball team suffered a pair of setbacks to North Coast Athletic Conference foe Wittenberg on Saturday in Granville. The Big Red fell 6-1 in game one before dropping a 10-2 decision in the finale.

The Tigers opened the game with three runs in the top of the first in the opener before building a 6-0 lead through five innings. Freshman Ricki Asher broke up the shutout bid in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single through the left side off reliever Katy Baumgardner that scored pinch runner Erinn Henry. However, a 6-3 double play induced by starting pitcher Chelsea Zang brought game one to an end.

Junior Kerry Hager went 2-for-3 in game one, while Lauren Secaras, Laura Bagan and Asher recorded the other three hits for Denison. Sophomore Sarah Herold took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hit with one strikeout.

In the nightcap, the Big Red took an early lead when freshman Amanda Howell scored on a base hit to right by Asher. The Tigers answered in the next half inning with an Abby Baker double that scored pinch runner Courtney Lopez and Casey Hobbs. Still down one in the bottom of the fifth, Howell delivered a two-out single up the middle that scored Ryan Lee from third.

After retiring two of the first three batters in the top of the sixth, junior Erin Laswell was one strike away from stranding the go-ahead run at third. Laswell got Hobbs to swing at an inside pitch, however the inside pitch went to the backstop which allowed the hitter to reach and the run to score from third on the passed ball. The Tigers took advantage of the extra out, scoring seven more runs to build a 10-2 lead.

Secaras and Howell each finished with two hits, while Lee, Bagan, Laswell and Asher provided the other four singles. Laswell suffered the loss after allowing just two earned runs (seven total) on 13 hits with five strikeouts.

Denison falls to 15-11 on the season and 4-2 in the NCAC, while the Tigers move to 23-4-1 and 7-1 in league play. The Big Red return to action on Sunday (April 17) when they travel to Meadville, Pa. for a make-up doubleheader. Game one against Allegheny is scheduled for 1 p.m.