HANOVER, Ind.--  Denison softball picked up its first win of the 2020 season on Sunday as they forced a doubleheader split with Hanover.  The Big Red suffered a 4-3 loss in extra-innings in the opener but rallied for an 11-3 victory in game two.

Denison pounded out 16 hits in the nightcap. They were led by freshman first baseman Caitlin Ellwanger who went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and three runs batted in.  Lindsey Clemson was 3-for-4 with double, two runs scored and two RBI.  Claire Powell finished 2-for-3 with two triples, two walks, two runs scored and one RBI.  Gabi Dufrense, Abby Stallcup, and Sam Kline also had multi-hit games for DU.

Sophia Parpata got the start and pitched 2.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits.  Noelle Chovanec worked the final 2.2 innings and did not allow a run while striking out three.

In game one, Hanover scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.  In the bottom of the eighth, a runner was placed on second base to start the inning.  A ground out moved the runner to third and a one-out single by Nikki Bridgers gave the Panthers the win.

Denison starter Taylor Faulkenberg went the distance, allowing three earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched. She struck out five while allowing nine hits.  Hanover's Lily Beurman got the win in 8.0 innings pitched. She struck out nine and did not walk a batter to improve to 4-2 on the year.

Powell and Clemson led DU at the plate in game one with both going 2-for-4.

The Big Red returns to Granville on Tuesday (March 10) for its 2020 home opener against Otterbein at 3:30 p.m.