Eastlake, OH- The No. 2 Denison Big Red had their hands full with the No. 3 Warhawks from Wisconsin-Whitewater in the winner's game of Bracket 2 of the College World Series. The Warhawks jumped out to an early lead and despite the effort from the Big Red were able to win in a 11-4 decision. Facing elimination, Denison took on Rowan for the second time in the tournament. The Big Red fought hard in the night slot, however after a valiant fight, the Big Red's historic season came to an end. Denison finishes the season with a 41-7 record (.854), claiming the NCAC regular season and tournament victories as well as their first Super Regional Victory. En route to their first World Series the Big Red broke nine individual records and two team records, most notably recording 20 consecutive wins this season.
Bracket 2 Game 4 (Denison 4, UW-Whitewater 11)
As the Rowan fans trotted out of the stands at Classic Park following their escape from elimination against Trinity, the Big Red and Warhawk fans made their way into the stadium for an exciting game between two powerhouse programs.
The Warhawks were able to break the seal in their first at bat, scoring one unearned run following a throwing error. Whitewater would hold the Big Red scoreless in the bottom of the inning.
After a scoreless second inning, the Warhawks exploded in the top of the third following home runs from Matt Scolan and Danny Hopper to take a 5-0 lead. The Denison offense was able to pick up their first run of the matchup following first year Eron Vega's first career homer, launching a solo shot over the left center wall.
Whitewater continued to lay it on thick, picking up two more runs in the following inning with a sacrifice fly and an RBI single to take a 7-1 lead.
The next action would come in the bottom of the fifth when Cade Nowik poked his seventh home run of the year in the first at bat of the frame to cut the Warhawk lead down to five.
After an uneventful sixth inning, the Warhawks continued to push against the Denison pitching staff, picking up three more runs following a string of base hits.
Eron Vega would go on to pick up another RBI and Jack Lutte would take advantage of a throwing error to score however, both teams remained at a steady stalemate following the initial surge by Whitewater.
The Big Red trotted Peter Lemke onto the bump for the start. With the loss, Lemke moves to 9-1 on the year. Out of the bullpen, Ryan Starr, Manny Nager, Ryan Paganelis, and Connor Remley would make appearances out of the bullpen. The staff combined for nine strikeouts and four walks, however, the 18 allowed hits were too much for the offense to overcome.
The offense was led by Erik Sundgren and Eron Vega, both going 2-3 on the game. Eric Colaco, Cade Nowik, and Eron Vega were responsible for the four runs in the loss.
With the loss, the Big Red moves to 41-6 on the year as their 21-game winning streak comes to an end. The Warhawks move to 46-6.
Bracket 2 Game 5 (Denison 1, Rowan 6)
With an army of lakeflies in the Eastlake air, both squads faced elimination in game five of the second bracket at the College World Series.
Both teams traded scoreless outings in the first inning with runners left stranded on the bags. In the second inning, the Profs were able to plate the first run fo the game, kickstarted by a fielding error and a base hit.
It wouldn't be till the third inning where the Big Red would be able to respond. Alex Vasquez drew a walk and was able to move to third base. With one out, Erik Sundgren sent a ball high into the left field sky to score Vasquez and knot things up at one all.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Profs were able to clamp down on the Denison defense. With two outs and runners on the corners, Tyler Cannon knocked a weak ground ball up the middle to score one and take a 2-1 lead.
It wouldn't be until the sixth inning until either team would cross home again. The Profs were able to drive in three runs on three hits to take a 5-1 lead.
The Big Red bats continued to dwindle throughout the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Denison had runners on the corners but Rowan's first year righty Austin Kreyenhagen was able to deliver a full count strike three to shut down the ounce of momentum.
In the top of the ninth, the Profs were able to secure an insurance run to grow their lead to five. A three up, three down bottom of the ninth closed the door on the Denison season.
The Big Red offense was led by Jack Lutte, going 2-4. Erik Sundgren grabbed the lone RBI in game two. Rowan's Austin Kreyenhagen went the full 9.0 innings and threw 141 pitches.
Sam Larson got the start on the bump for Denison. Ryan Starr, Jack Rollo, Michael Gray, and Manny Nager made appearances out of the bullpen. The staff combined for eight strikeouts, highlighted by Starr's lone at bat, striking out Rowan's heavy hitting third baseman Brayden Davis.
