DECATUR, Ill.—Charlie Fleming fired a complete game, three-hit shutout to lead Denison to a 4-0 victory over Millikin University on the opening day of the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament from Workman Family Field. With the win, Denison will face No. 2 seeded Webster University at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 28.

In his first NCAA regional appearance, Fleming was brilliant from the start and only continued to improve as the evening wore on.  His teammates helped him early, plating two runs in the bottom of the second. Ty Robinson started things off with a one out triple to the corner in right. Daniel Spencer followed with an RBI single and proceeded to steal second. Danny Alvarez delivered an RBI ground rule double, scoring Spencer to put DU on top 2-0.

In the fourth, Spencer reached on an infield single. A base hit by Alvarez scored Spencer on a throwing error on the cut-off.  Anthony Ruggieri grounded out to second but that was enough to score Alvarez from third to give the Big Red a 4-0 lead.

Millikin's threat came in the top of the sixth. Hunter Smith led-off with a ground ball to Max Lahn at shortstop. Lahn's throw was just wide enough of the bag to pull Brian McAuliffe's foot off first base.  A single by Tommy Shaw and a walk by Gabe Soria suddenly loaded the bases with no outs.  Fleming buckled down and stuck out Millikin's three and four hitter to get two outs.  Fleming remained locked in and quickly got two strikes on Kyle Kane before inducing a ground ball to Owen Wilson at third. Wilson stepped on the bag ending the Big Blue threat.

In the final three innings, Fleming allowed one walk while facing just 10 batters.  He retired the side in order in the ninth inning to lock up the complete game.  Fleming, who was named the NCAC Pitcher of the Year earlier this week, improves to 7-1. He scattered three hits and two walks while striking out eight. 

Millikin starting pitcher Caleb Buehrle went all eight innings and struck out six while allowing eight hits and two walks.  Only two of Denison's four runs were earned.

Alvarez was 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored.  Spencer was 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.  Ruggieri was 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI.

Friday's regional schedule looks like this:
10 a.m.: Illinois College vs. Transylvania (elimination game)
1 p.m.: Washington-St. Louis vs. Millikin
4 p.m.: Webster vs. Denison