Denison opened the 2016 North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament with a 12-5 loss to DePauw University.  The loss drops the Big Red into the loser's bracket where they will face Ohio Wesleyan in an elimination game on Friday at 4 p.m.

A four-run first inning by the Tigers put the Big Red at a disadvantage early.  Denison starter Zack Huarte struggled to find his rhythm as DePauw touched him up for five runs in the first two frames.

Denison got one in the second off Tiger starter, Wyatt Spector thanks to a Jack Blanchard base hit to center, scoring Sam Frazen.  Spector went on to retire the next 10 DU hitters in order, heading to the seventh trailing 5-1.

Spector may have been dealing for DePauw, but Huarte also found his stride, striking out nine Tigers in 6.2 innings pitched.

Two runs from DePauw in the seventh put Denison down 7-1.  In the eighth, Eric Zmuda scored after Tucker Davison reached on an error.  DU entered the ninth trailing 7-2. 

Hopes of a comeback were put to rest thanks to a five-run ninth by DePauw.  The Big Red responded with three runs in the bottom of the ninth, setting the final at 12-5.

Zmuda led the DU offense, going 3-for-5.  DePauw's Jack Thompson was 4-for-5 with four runs scored.

DePauw improves to 24-17 and will face The College of Wooster in a winner's bracket game at 12 p.m. on Friday in Chillicothe.  Denison drops to 26-13.  They will face OWU at 4 p.m. at VA Memorial Stadium.  Denison will provide a live video stream of tomorrow's contest beginning at 3:50 p.m.