Granville, Ohio- The No. 2 Denison Big Red kicked off the Granville Super Regional on Friday against the Belhaven Blazers. The Blazers presented Granville with a 34-13 record after sweeping through the Webster Regional last weekend. This marks Denison's second straight Super Regional appearance, hosting last year as well. After the weekend action closes, the College World Series will have a first-time bid as neither team has earned a spot in Eastlake before. In a battle between two aces, the Big Red were able to dominate from the start and earn a 17-3 victory.

Up Next: The Big Red will take on the Blazers in game two tomorrow at 11:00 am. A third, if necessary, game will take place at 3:00 pm.

Super Regional Game 1 (Denison 17, Belhaven 3)

After the May rain subsided, game one of the Granville Super Regional commenced following a brief time change. From the first pitch, the battled with every ounce of energy they could muster. In the top of the first inning, Nick Falter was able to retire the Blazers allowing one base hit into left field. 

In the bottom of the first, the Big Red were able to tack on three runs in their first at bat after Jake Blozy laced a triple off the right center wall, scoring Erik Sundgren and Eric Colaco. In the next at bat, Jack Rollo rolled a slow ground ball to the shortstop, scoring Blozy to take an early lead. The Big Red posted another three run inning in the second inning after Sundgren knocked in a double after finding ground away from the outfield shift. Blozy picked up two more RBIs to take the 6-0 lead.

The two teams traded scoreless defensive performances following the early Denison lead. The Blazers were able to score two in the top of the fifth, but the Big Red immediately responded with six runs over the next two frames. Rollo laid down a bunt for a hit to score one and Max Fishbein and Blozy picked up two RBIs a piece to take an 11-2 lead. Cade Nowik topped it off with an extra inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Blazers made one final push by tacking on one, but the Big Red defense was able to extinguish the flame.

The Big Red continued to lay it on thick in response. Jack Lutte launched a solo shot homer to kick things off, just clearing the right field wall. Blozy picked up two more RBIs and Rollo collected another. Lastly, in the eighth inning, Erik Sundgren drove in the final run, scoring Colaco, and notching the final run of the 17-3 rout.

On the bump, the Big Red ace Nick Falter collected his 12th win of the season, moving to a perfect 12-0. With eight strikeouts, Falter broke the single season record for strikeouts (104) that was originally held by '22 Kenny Lippman. In relief, Michael Gray, Ryan Starr, Manny Nager, and Mahoney Daunic made appearances. The staff combined for 14 strikeouts in the dominant showing.

Additionally, the Big Red had multiple big-time performances on the offensive side of the game. Jake Blozy was a perfect 5-5 and tied the single-game Denison record with seven RBIs. Erik Sundgren went 4-5,  Eric Coalco was 3-4, and Jack Rollo went 3-5. Rollo had four RBIs.