Granville, Ohio — The Denison softball team earned a pair of shutout victories on Saturday evening, sweeping Wittenberg 2-0 and 2-0 in a tightly contested North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader. With the sweep, the Big Red improved to 14-10 on the season and 4-0 in NCAC play.
Game 1: (Denison 2, Wittenberg 0)
The Big Red capitalized on timely hitting and strong defense to take game one. Denison took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Madilyn Moffitt doubled to left, scoring Jacqui Abogado for a 1-0 advantage.
The score held until the sixth, when Giavanna Gangi delivered a clutch RBI single to right, bringing home Annabelle Calderon and giving Denison an important insurance run. That would be more than enough for the Big Red pitching and defense, which held Wittenberg scoreless throughout the contest.
Pitcher Brooke Surbaugh delivered a stellar performance, throwing a complete-game shutout. She allowed just four hits and no walks while striking out four over seven innings, needing only 83 pitches. Surbaugh improved to 6-6 on the season with the win.
Madilyn Moffitt led the way offensively, going 1-for-2 with an RBI double, while Gangi added a hit and an RBI. Denison's defense played clean behind Surbaugh, helping preserve the shutout with strong execution in the field.
Game 2: (Denison 2, Wittenberg 0)
Game two followed a similar script, with Denison again relying on stellar pitching and timely hits. Annabelle Calderon provided all the offense the Big Red would need, launching a solo home run in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie.
In the sixth, Calderon struck again, doubling to right center to drive in Gangi and make it 2-0. Denison's defense did the rest, preserving their second straight shutout and sealing the sweep.
Sydney Silverstein delivered a dominant performance in the circle, pitching a complete-game shutout while also notching a no-hitter. She allowed five walks but didn't give up a hit, striking out four while facing 26 batters and throwing 88 pitches. Silverstein improved to 6-3 on the season with the win.
Calderon was the star of the game, going 2-for-3 with a home run, double, and two RBIs. Gangi added another hit and a run scored, continuing her strong day at the plate.
Up Next:
Denison will look to stay hot as they host Hiram for another conference doubleheader on Friday, April 11. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
