GRANVILLE, Ohio -- Denison suffered a pair of loss to Muskingum University on Tuesday in their home opener. The Big Red fell in game one 14-5 before dropping the nightcap 7-3.

In game one, the Big Red stranded 13 base runners which included three bases loaded situations late in the game.  After falling into a 7-1 hold through two innings, Denison battled back with a three-run third. Sophomore Ricki Asher sparked the charge with a two-run homer that also brought in Sarah Herold. Senior Ryan Lee shrunk the deficit to three with a base hit to center that scored Laura Bagan.

After matching a Muskie run from the top of the fourth, Bagan drew a two-out free pass that reloaded the bases for freshman catcher Lindsey Clemson. However, Muskingum relief pitcher Haylea Debolt induced a ground out to short that left the bags full. DU loaded the bases with less than two outs in the fifth and sixth as well, but were unable to come up with a timely hit to pull even. The Muskies nailed down their win with four more insurance runs in the seventh.

Herold (2-2) took the loss after surrendering seven runs on two hits with five walks in 1.2 innings of work. Offensively, Asher finished with two extra-base hits, two RBIs and a run scored, while Bagan and Lee also had two hits. Herold scored twice and swiped a bag.

After giving up a run in the top of the third inning of game two, the Big Red responded in the bottom of the frame to take the lead. With two outs, junior Lauren Secaras delivered a double down the left line that scored Asher and Mckinly Vazquez. Muskingum regained the lead after taking advantage of a defensive miscue that resulted in three runs (two unearned). The visitors added three more runs in the sixth to take a 7-2 lead into the final frame. Asher delivered a two-out base hit up the middle that scored Vazquez, setting the final score at 7-3.

Freshman Taryn Welch (2-2) took the hard-luck loss after allowing just one earned run (four total) in 4.1 innings of work. Welch gave up nine hits, struck out two and walk two more. Asher went 3-for-3 in the nightcap with a double, an RBI and a run scored, while Vazquez touched the dish twice.

Denison falls to 7-5 on the year, while Muskingum improves to 5-11. The Big Red returns to action on Thursday (March 23) when they travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on Mount St. Joseph. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.