Granville, Ohio- The Denison softball team hosted the Cardinals of Otterbein University in their home opener this season. The Cardinals come into Granville with an 8-4 record. Denison and Otterbein, only separated by 28 miles, came into Saturday tied at 8-8 in all-time matchups. Denison secured a mercy rule victory in game one by a decision of 11-2. Denison kept the momentum in game two, taking down the Cardinals 8-0. Both games were called in the fifth inning for mercy rule. Denison rises to 9-6 on the season and drops Otterbein to 8-6.

Up Next: The Big Red will travel to Delphi, Ohio, on Wednesday to play a doubleheader against the Mount Saint Joseph Lions.

Game 1: (Denison 11, Otterbein 2) 5 Innings
The Big Red offense exploded in game one, tacking on 11 runs on a methodical nine hits. Brooke Surbaugh recorded the final run of the day with a solo shot home run in the fourth inning. Surbaugh and Annabelle Calderon led the offense, being perfect at the plate. Calderon led the day with four RBIs.

In addition to work at the plate, Surbaugh collected her third win of the season in the circle, going the entire 5.0 innings. She sat down five batters via strikeout and allowed just four hits. The defense was perfect in support, recording zero errors.

Game 2: (Denison 8, Otterbein 0) 5 innings
The bats stayed hot in game two, and the defense cranked up the intensity to seal another mercy rule victory, this time in shutout fashion. Sydney Silverstein collected the victory in the circle, making it through the 5.0-inning battle in just 55 pitches. Annabelle Calderon and Indy Workman drove in three runs apiece. Calderon would go 2-3 at bat, recording two home runs, bringing her career total to 31. Jacqui Abogado and Alex Longstreth contributed an RBI a piece in the victory.

Collectively, Denison racked up 14 hits on the day and recorded zero errors.