MARIETTA, Ohio--  Denison softball remained red-hot on Wednesday as they breezed to a doubleheader sweep of Marietta College winning 11-1 in game one and 8-1 in game two.  With the wins, Denison extends its winning streak to nine games while their overall record improves to 21-7.

The Big Red needed only five innings to dispatch the Pioneers in game one thanks to a seven-run fifth inning.  DU starter Sarah Herold had her squad out in front 2-1 after three innings.  In the top of the fourth, Lauren Secaras delivered an RBI single up the middle that scored Gabi Dufresne.  Amanda Howell followed with an infield single with the bases loaded which scored Emilie Fischer.

Herold retired Marietta in order in the fourth, setting up the breakthrough fifth inning for Denison.  The big hit in the inning came on a two-run double by Howell that scored Secaras and Herold. 

In the home half of the fifth, Herold induced a groundout and struck out the final two batters to lock up her 10th win of the season.  This marks the third-consecutive season that Herold has won 10 games or more.  Her 39 career victories rank her fourth in Denison history.  In five innings, Herold allowed only two hits while striking out seven.

In game two, Denison starter Colleen Hoffman fired another two-hitter while going the distance.  In seven innings of work she gave up one earned run on a home run to Jordan Pallay in the seventh with the game well out of reach.  Hoffman struck out four and walked two to improve to 8-3 on the year.

Ricki Asher came through offensively, going 2-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and four RBIs.  Sophomore catcher Lindsey Clemson was 2-for-2 with a triple and two runs scored and Howell also logged a pair of hits in the night cap.

Denison's nine-game winning streak is it's longest since 2008. That team finished the year 28-12 and won 11-straight.

This sets the stage for a key NCAC matchup on Thursday in Granville when Denison hosts DePauw at 3:30 p.m.  Both teams enter with 10-2 records in conference play and are one game out of first place in the conference standings.