Greensboro, NC: The No. 3 Denison Big Red kick off the 2026 season at the D3 Showcase in Greensboro, North Carolina, against the Captains of Christopher Newport University. The Captains present with a perfect 3-0 start to the season as the Big Red battled in their first action on the diamond. In the fifth all-time matchup between the Division III baseball powerhouses, the Big Red were able to claim their first victory of the year in a 13-4 decision.

(No. 3 Denison 13, Christopher Newport 4)

The sky opened on First National Bank Field before the Denison Big Red baseball team could kick off its season against the Captains of Christopher Newport. After a brief delay, the Big Red took the field for its first appearance of the year. Following an early error, senior Will Rettig was able to get three up three down to send Denison up to bat in the bottom of the first.

Erik Sundgren kicked off his season with a rocket down the right field line to give the Big Red their first runner of the game. Cade Nowik picked up the first of many RBIs on the day with a sacrifice fly to left field to put Denison up 1-0.

Both teams traded scoreless frames in the second before the Big Red offense exploded for four runs in the bottom of the third. Jack Rollo wore a pitch with bases loaded before Nowik would collect two more RBIs. Kelly Crittenberger put a sac fly into right field to give Denison a 5-0 lead.

In the following innings, the two squads would trade blows, but the bottom of the sixth would be the offense's shining moment of the day. Jack Lutte got things rolling with an RBI single into centerfield. Following a Jack Rollo bunt, a wild pitch scored one before Nowik would get yet another RBI with a line drive into left field. Andrew Fazio and Crittenberger would tack on two more before senior Bobby Haarde smashed a two-run homer to cap off the inning. 

The Captains would steal a pair of runs to avoid a seven-inning run rule, but ultimately, the late effort was not enough to overcome the Big Red.

Rettig picked up the first win of his senior campaign, lasting 5.0 innings, giving up two runs, and striking out three. Ryan Paganelis, Noah Shapo, Evan Cerretani, and Robbie Lee would make appearances out of the bullpen. 

In the box, Nowik led the day with four RBIs in a 2-3 performance. Max Fishbein,  Eron Vega, Sundgren, and Rollo all finished at .500 or above on the day. Haarde picked up the lone homer of the day while Fazio tacked on a triple. Overall, the Big Red outpaced the Captains with 15 hits compared to their seven.

Up Next: The Big Red will be back in action on Saturday, February 21, against the No. 5 Sea Gulls of Salisbury.