Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Greencastle, Ind.- The Big Red softball team weathered the storm that has ravaged the Midwest and traveled to DePauw for a crucial end-of-season showdown against the Tigers. Despite DePauw holding a commanding 36-8 lead in the all-time series heading into Saturday, Denison rose to the occasion. In game one, the Big Red earned a 3-0 victory, setting the stage for a decisive game two with a share of the NCAC regular season title and the right to host the conference tournament on the line. Denison sealed the sweep with a thrilling 2-1 win, clinching co-champion honors in the NCAC and securing the tournament's top seed. The victories bring the Big Red to 24-11 on the season while dropping the Tigers to 21-14.

Up Next:
The Denison Big Red will host the four team double-elmination NCAC Softball Tournament in Granville, Ohio starting Thursday, May 8. Stay tuned for more details in the upcoming days. 

Game 1 (Denison 3, DePauw 0)
In the final NCAC doubleheader of the season, the Big Red traveled to DePauw to take on the Tigers. With a 10-2 conference record compared to the Tigers' perfect 12-0, Denison knew what was at stake, fighting to earn the regular season NCAC championship and hosting rights for the conference tournament next weekend. 

Denison hopped to an early 1-0 lead after Brooke Surbaugh drove in Madilyn Moffitt with a base hit single to right center. In the second inning, Denison scored the final two runs for either team to take a 3-0 lead. Moffitt drove in Alex Longstreth, and Jacqui Abogado sent a sac fly into center to score Carley Melton. Neither team would cross home again for the rest of the matchup.

Junior Brooke Surbaugh picked up the crucial win for the Big Red, lasting 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out three. Madilyn Moffitt earned the save for the Big Red, slamming the door shut with a scoreless final inning and propelling Denison into game two with hopes of hosting the conference tournament still alive.

Game 2 (Denison 2, DePauw 1)
Games like this are why student-athletes come from all over to play Division III athletics. The rivalry of DePauw and Denison runs deep, and the passion behind both teams was on full display in Greencastle. With a regular season championship and the opportunity to play the NCAC tournament on their home turf, both teams brought their best into game two.

It wasn't until the final frame that either team would cross home plate. Sydney Silverstein hurled 6.0 scoreless innings in the circle before handing duties to Madilyn Moffitt. Moffit would go on to record her second save of the day, allowing one run but holding off the Tigers in the final inning. 

In the defensive matchup, neither lineup got much production until the seventh inning. An electrifying performance from first-year Carley Melton sparked the Big Red offense. Down to their final out with runners on second and third, Melton doubled down the line to score Emily Orsini and Leilah Ferrari, putting the Big Red up 2-0.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Big Red were up against the wall with bases juiced and two outs. After drawing a bases-loaded, full-count walk, the Tigers scored one to chip away at the Big Red lead. The next at-bat, Moffitt drew a pop fly to third base to end the game.