NEW CONCORD, Ohio (March 21, 2023) – The Denison University softball team returned to action for the first time in 12 days, but unfortunately, the Big Red came up short in both games by scores of 6-2 and 7-0 on Tuesday at Muskingum University.
 
Game 1 (Denison 2, Muskingum 6):

• Muskingum scored in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out double to left field that was followed by an unearned run after an error by the Big Red catcher throwing down to third base.
• The Muskies again took advantage of a two-out double in the bottom of the fourth inning as back-to-back singles up the middle brought in the runner to make it 2-0.
• Muskingum then doubled up its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth while the Big Red were held hitless until the sixth inning.
• After the Muskies left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Denison cut its deficit in half with a two-out rally in the top of the sixth that started with a walk by Jacqui Abogado before a two-run double to right center field by Annabelle Calderon.
• However, a second straight two-run inning for Muskingum after another two-out hit in the bottom of the sixth made it all that much harder to the Big Red to try and come back in the seventh.
• With two outs in the seventh, Denison tried to rally as Charlotte Doulette walked and Brianna Gonzalez and Maggie Ballentine both singled to load the bases, but after a throw down to first base, the Big Red were cut down at home plate trying to steal a run, ending the game.
• Muskingum's Hannah Smith improved to 6-0 on the season and limited the Big Red to just three hits in the contest while striking out seven to earn the complete game victory.

 
Game 2 (Denison 0, Muskingum 7):

• Game two was again a story of great pitching for Muskingum combined with a costly mistake on the base paths for the Big Red.
• Muskingum scored again in the first inning, this time with a run on a sacrifice fly to center field before a called strike three stranded another runner on third base.
• In the bottom of the second inning, the Muskies added a two-out, two-run home run while ultimately finishing the inning with seven straight hits to take a 4-0 lead.
• A two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth inning made it 6-0 before back-to-back foul outs to first base, and then a two-out solo home run in the sixth made it 7-0.
• The Denison offense, meanwhile, never got to third base and stranded a runner on second base three times. The Big Red were also unable to take advantage of two Muskie errors in the top of the fifth inning after another base running mistake led to a throw out at third base from the left fielder.
• Calderon was 2-for-3 with a double while Ballentine was 2-for-4.
• Madelyn Thomas (3-2) earned the complete game shutout allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out eight for Muskingum.

 
Records:

• It was the home opener for Muskingum, which improved to 9-3 on the season while Denison fell to 6-4.

 
Next Up: Denison is scheduled to host Centre College in a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 24.