Columbus, Ga.- The Denison University softball team kicked off their 2025 campaign at the Leadoff Classic hosted by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The best Division III softball teams joined the Big Red in the country at this invite-only event.

Denison battled in five hard-fought matchups with two opponents ranked in the NCAA Top 25. They went 2-3 on the weekend. The Big Red bats were on fire, leaving the yard 10 times at the hands of Madi Moffitt (1), Brooke Surbaugh (3), Andrea Care (1), Jacqui Abogado (2), Alex Longstreth (1), Annabelle Calderon (1), and Leilah Ferrari (1). Care's homer came in her first ever collegiate at-bat. With her homerun in game three against Piedmont, Calderon is now tied for most career home runs in Denison softball history(25). Calderon was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts behind the dish and at the plate.

Game 1: Denison 7, No. 25 Huntingdon 12

Denison kicked off their season against the Hawks of Huntingdon University from Montgomery, Alabama. Both squads wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, trading shots back and forth throughout the first few innings. Heading into the 5th inning, the Big Red led 7-5 including home runs from Jacqui Abogado, Andrea Care, and Brooke Surbaugh. The Hawks offense was too much in the final frames, scoring five unanswered to close the game with a 12-7 victory.

Game 2: Denison 8, Spalding 0 (5 innings)

Senior pitcher Sydney Silverstein threw a five-inning shutout to aid Denison in their first win of the season. Facing off against the Golden Eagles of Spalding University from Louisville, Kentucky, the Big Red offense was hot from the start to back up Silverstein's five inning, seven strikeout performance in the circle. In the 1st frame, Brooke Surbaugh left the yard with a two-run shot for Denison's first runs of game two. Jacqui Abogado, Annabelle Calderon, Indy Workman, and Brianna Gonzales chipped in with RBIs on the day. The Big Red defense was perfect in the field recording zero errors

 

Saturday March 1

Game 3: Denison 13, Piedmont 5 (6 innings)

In a high scoring offensive showcase, the Big Red posted 13 runs on 15 hits in just six innings. Denison never trailed as Annabelle Calderon and Jacqui Abogado got things rolling with a pair of home runs. Abogado went a perfect three for three at the dish and knocked in five RBIs. Sydney Silverstein earned her 2nd win of the weekend with a five inning performance in the circle. First-year Andrea Care closed the game with a scoreless inning to secure the 13-5 win for the Big Red.

Game 4: Denison 2, Wisconsin Eau-Claire 5

Denison wrapped up the pair of Saturday games with a tight matchup with the Blugolds of Wisconsin Eau-Claire. Brooke Surbaugh went toe to toe with Jacie Stultz in the circle, both going the complete seven innings. Tied at 2-2 going into the 5th inning, the Blugolds were able to break away for three runs to take the lead once and for all. Madilyn Moffitt blasted a two-run homer in the 3rd inning, recording the only RBIs on the day for the Big Red.


Sunday March 2 

Game 5: Denison 10, #2 Linfield 12

The Big Red faced a tall task closing the weekend with a matchup against the No.2 ranked Linfield University Wildcats reigning from McMinnville, Oregon. Denison commanded a 10-7 lead heading into the 6th inning. The No.2 Wildcats of Linfield were able to rally back with a five-run showing in the bottom of the 6th inning.

The Big Red offense launched three home runs off of the bats of Brooke Surbaugh, Leilah Ferrari, and Alex Longstreth. Indy Workman and Madilyn Moffitt went 2-3 at the dish. Moffitt recorded four RBIs.

Game 6: Denison vs Gettysburg

Cancelled due to drop-dead time