McMinnville, Ore: Following a narrow win over George Fox, the No. 1 Denison Big Red continued spring break action with the first of three games against the Wildcats of Linfield University. The Big Red would strike early with a solo home run from Jack Rollo and maintain the lead to take an 8-4 victory, in which Ryan Paganelis would earn his first career victory on the mound. The win marks 11 in a row for Denison as the nation's No. 1 team moves to 12-1 on the season.

No. 1 Denison 8, Linfield 4

At the final site of spring break baseball, the No. 1 Denison baseball team would kick off a three-game series against Linfield. The Big Red would find the lead early in the game, plating two runs in the top of the first after Erik Sundgren and Jack Rollo would score on a throwing error that was forced by a Kelly Crittenberger grounder to shortstop.

First-year Andrew Montero would get his fourth career start on the mound. Montero and the defense would retire three straight batters to move into the second inning with the lead.

In the top of the second, the Big Red would get runners on but ultimately leave two stranded. The Wildcats would find an opportunity to chip away at the Denison lead with a slurry of walks and one hit, but the defense would stand tall and escape the bases-loaded jam unscathed. 

To lead off the top of the third, Rollo laced a solo home run on the eighth pitch of the at-bat to extend the Big Red lead to 3-0. In the bottom of the frame, the southpaw would regroup, striking out the first two batters and getting a flyout for another three-up-three-down showing.

The two teams would trade scoreless frames in the fourth innings before the Big Red would find another run in the top of the fifth. A pair of singles from Eron Vega and Sundgren would put runners on before an RBI groundout from Rollo would plate Denison's fourth run of the day.

Despite the extra cushion, the Linfield squad would not back down. After two quick outs, the Wildcats would load the bases before a double into left center would score two runs to cut the Denison lead in half. The momentum swing would call Ryan Paganelis out of the bullpen for relief. The senior righty would make quick work of the jam, ending the Linfield momentum with a quick groundout to short.

In the top of the sixth, the Big Red would find an early spark. Jack Steel would reach first with a rocket into left field before a perfectly placed bunt by Kuyper Lashutka would put runners at first and second. A hit by pitch from Cade Nowik would load the bags with zero outs. Vega would roll a grounder up the middle for a fielder's choice but beat the throw on the double play attempt to score one to take a 5-2 lead. However, the Wildcat pitching staff would get a huge strikeout to keep the Big Red at bay.

In the bottom of the sixth, Paganelis stranded two base runners and kept Denison up by three. The teams would record quick scoreless outings in the seventh inning. In the top of the eighth, the Big Red lineup earned four straight free trips to the base path, courtesy of two walks and two hit by pitches. Vega would be credited with an RBI after a bases-loaded walk. Rollo would extend the lead to 7-2 with another walk to score Nowik. Paganelis would continue to deal on the mound, recording another scoreless inning.

In the final inning of the night, the Big Red would plate its final run, courtesy of a full count RBI single from Nowik into right field to score Crittenberger. With an 8-2 lead, Connor Remley would make an appearance out of the bullpen to close the game. Under their own lights, Linfield would launch a two-run shot into left field to cut the Big Red lead to four. After the spark of a comeback, Remley would rally and record a pair of flyouts and a strikeout to secure the victory for Denison.

Offensively, the Big Red would record seven hits, draw eight walks, and reach the basepath five times via hit by pitch. Rollo recorded the lone extra-base hit with his solo homer and led the team with three RBIs on the day. Sundgren remained perfect on the basepath, stealing two bases.

Defensively, Montero lasted 4.2 innings, striking out five. From the bullpen, Paganelis would earn his first career victory, striking out four and allowing zero runs in a 3.1 inning outing. To close the game, Remley would strike out one batter in 1.0 innings.

Up Next: The Big Red will be back in McMinnville for game two on Friday, March 20. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET.