Carol Stream, Ill.- Following a mercy rule victory over No. 17 Adrian, the No. 1 Denison Big Red baseball team continued its Spring Break schedule with a matchup against the RV Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets. For the second time this season, the Big Red were able to come out victorious over Baldwin Wallace, downing the Yellow Jackets in a 13-5 decision. The Big Red move to 8-1 on the season as the Yellow Jackets fall to 8-3.

No. 1 Denison 13, RV Baldwin Wallace 5

Senior Will Rettig would get his fourth start of the season, his second against Baldwin Wallace. The Yellow Jackets would strike first, scoring one in the bottom of the first inning. This would be the only run that Rettig allowed in his 5.0-inning showing. 

The Big Red offense would be quick to respond as Max Fishbein would double down the left field line to score Jack Rollo and knot the score at 1-1.

After a scoreless second frame from Rettig, the offense would take the lead in the top of the third and hold for the remainder of the game. Jack Lutte and Erik Sundgren were able to get on with a pair of base hits before Andrew Fazio would record a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead. In the next at bat, a double from Rollo would score Sundgren to make it 3-1 in favor of Denison.

Rettig would continue to deal, tossing another scoreless frame. In the top of the fourth, the Big Red offense would explode for four runs. Cade Nowik and Fishbein would get on before a base hit single by Bobby Haarde would score one (unearned). Back at the top of the lineup, Eron Vega would clear the bags with a three-run home run to left center to take a commanding 7-1 lead. Now finding his ground, Rettig recorded another shutout inning, keeping the Big Red in the driver's seat.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Big Red would plate two more runs after Rollo tacked two more RBIs to his total with a base hit to right field. Rettig would retire after 5.0 innings, and Ryan Paganelis would come out of the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth inning nursing a 9-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Vega picked up another RBI with a single up the middle to score Nate Lloyd, and Paganelis would shove his second scoreless inning in relief.

Both teams would find their offensive stride in the eighth inning. A string of doubles from Kuyper Lashutka and Carson Herman would move the Denison lead to 12-1 before Ethan Smith would tack on Denison's final run of the day with a base hit to centerfield.

The Yellow Jackets would find momentum in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on three hits, but the defense would stand tall to maintain a 13-4 lead. Ultimately, Baldwin Wallace made one final push in their last at-bat, scoring one, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

After Rettig's 5.0 innings, Paganelis and Evan Cerretani would last 2.0 innings apiece to finish the game. The trio of arms would record nine strikeouts, three walks, and allow just five runs on 16 hits. Rettig was credited with his fourth win of the season to move to 4-0 on the year.

At the plate, the Big Red exploded for 20 hits. Vega led the way with four RBIs, but Rollo led the team with a 3-4 performance and three RBIs. Lutte also went 3-4 at the dish. 12 different players would record a hit in the win.

Up Next:
The Big Red will close out their trip in the Chicago suburbs with a game against RV North Central College on Sunday, March 15, with first pitch at 10 a.m.