GAMBIER, Ohio. — Denison Softball split Sunday's doubleheader at Kenyon, rallying for a 7–6 win in game one before falling 7–6 in game two. The Big Red used a five-run seventh inning to steal the opener but couldn't hold a late lead in the nightcap.
Game One: Denison 7, Kenyon 6
Denison stormed back late, erupting for five runs in the seventh inning to secure a 7–6 comeback victory.
Kenyon built a 5–1 lead through five innings, highlighted by a two-run home run in the first and steady offensive pressure throughout the early frames. Denison began to chip away in the sixth as Elizabeth Allen delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to three.
The Big Red saved their biggest swing for the final inning. Carley Melton sparked the rally with a two-run double, and Madilyn Moffitt followed with a go-ahead two-run double to give Denison its first lead of the game. Allen added a sacrifice fly for an insurance run.
Kenyon threatened in the bottom of the seventh, scoring once, but Brooke Surbaugh closed it out to earn the save. Moffitt led Denison with three hits and two RBIs, while Melton drove in three runs. Leah Gershman picked up her first win of the season.
Game Two: Kenyon 7, Denison 6
Game two featured another back-and-forth battle, but this time Kenyon capitalized late to edge Denison 7–6.
Denison opened the scoring in the second inning on an RBI single from Brianna Gonzalez before Kenyon answered with two runs in the bottom half. The Big Red responded in the third with an RBI double from Liana "Seri" Su and took a 4–3 lead in the fourth behind a two-run double from Leilah Ferrari.
After Kenyon regained the lead in the fifth on a two-run home run, Denison answered again in the sixth. Moffitt doubled home the tying run, and Surbaugh followed with an RBI single to give the Big Red a 6–5 advantage.
Kenyon responded in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of defensive miscues to score two unearned runs and reclaim a 7–6 lead. Denison was unable to respond in the seventh as the Owls held on to split the doubleheader.
Denison totaled 12 hits in game two, with Moffitt, Ferrari, and Su each driving in runs in the effort.
