Granville, Ohio: After an out-of-conference victory over Marietta, Division III's unanimous No. 1 team was back at home for a midweek conference doubleheader against the Tigers of DePauw University. With both teams sitting in the NCAC top-four, the crucial double header did not disappoint. In game one, the Big Red were able to snap the Tiger's 10-game win streak with a 7-0 decision. In game two, the game was on pace to come down to the wire, however, incoming storms halted play before the game was eventually called. The Big Red narrowly escaped in a 7-6 decision. With the pair of wins, Denison moves to 30-1 on the season, 10-0 in conference games, and collects its 28th and 29th consecutive victories. DePauw drops to 23-10 on the season and 8-4 in conference.

Game 1: No. 1 Denison 7, RV DePauw 0

The first-year southpaw, Andrew Montero, got his seventh start of the season in game one of the midweek NCAC showdown with the Tigers of DePauw University. After a leadoff walk, Montero battled back and recorded three straight outs, two by strikeout, to hold the Tigers scoreless in their first at bat.

To lead off the bottom of the first, Eron Vega recorded a base hit on the first pitch of the inning however, the DePauw defense was able to close the inning to keep the game scoreless.

The two defenses traded scoreless second innings. Following a third straight scoreless inning from Montero, the Big Red were able to break the seal with a sacrifice fly from Jack Lutte to score to score Vega to take a 1-0 lead. In the top of the fourth, Montero delivered two strikeouts to maintain the slim lead.

However, the Big Red bats got their big spark in the bottom of the fourth. A drawn walk from Kelly Crittenberger and a double to right field from Cade Nowik put runners in scoring position with one out. With a 2-0 count, Nate Lloyd electrified Big Red Field with a towering three-run homer over the left field wall to take a 4-0 lead.

Following a scoreless fifth frame, the Big Red were able to notch another run in the bottom of sixth to take a 5-0 lead. A forced error from Crittenberger plated Jack Rollo for the lone run of the inning.

After a pair of strikeouts in the top of the seventh, Monetero retired with 6.2 scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts. Senior Ryan Paganelis relieved the first-year and recorded a looking strike three to finish the inning. After a scoreless frame in the bottom of the seventh, Paganelis delivered two strikeouts in the top of the eighth to keep the shutout going.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Big Red scored its final runs of game one, courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Max Fishbein and a line drive base hit from Kuyper Lashutka. First-year Soren Cooper closed the game on the bump for Denison and secured the 7-0 shutout victory with a three-up, three-down inning.

Offensively, the Big Red were led by a 3-4 performance from Nowik and highlighted by the three-run homer from Lloyd. Nowik, Vega, and Rollo accounted for the other extra base hits, with Vega's being a triple. 

Defensively, Montero fanned 10 en route to his fourth win of the year with the 6.2 scoreless innings. In relief, the duo of Paganelis and Cooper completed the shutout with 2.1 scoreless frames. Paganelis struck out three in his 1.1 innings of work. Together, the staff allowed only two walks and two hits. 

Game 2: No. 1 Denison 7, RV DePauw 6

In game two, sophomore Cooper Marrs got the start on the mound for the Big Red. The righty fanned two to hold DePauw scoreless in the top of the first. Denison was quick to strike in its first at bat, plating two runs courtesy of a failed pickoff attempt and a RBI base hit from Nate Lloyd to take a 2-0 lead. 

After a quick second inning, chaos was unleashed in the third. The Tigers pounced first, blasting a three-run homer before following it up with a solo shot to take a 4-2 lead. The Big Red stole back the lead in the bottom of the frame after a double from Cade Nowik, a triple from Nate Lloyd, and a grounder from Jack Rollo tacked on three runs to bring it back to 5-4.

In the fourth inning, Mahoney Daunic took over on the mound for Marrs. Daunic and the Tigers traded scoreless frames to head into the fifth inning. The Tigers were able to knot the game up at 5-5 with a sacrifice fly. However, the Big Red were right back in the driver's seat after Erik Sundgren took home after an error from centerfield, and a sacrifice fly from Kelly Crittenberger to take a 7-5 lead. 

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Max Mullen took over on the mound before Devin Parker relieved the righty. With bases loaded, DePauw plated a run to bring it to 7-6 in favor of Denison. The Tigers held the Big Red to a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth.

With an instant classic brewing at Big Red Field, the weather had other plans. With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, incoming storms halted play. The delay lasted over three hours before the game was called.

Crittenberger and Lloyd led the offense with two hits apiece. In the shortened game, the quartet of Marrs, Daunic, Mullen, and Parker recorded six strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Daunic was credited with the win out of the bullpen after a 2.2-inning performance.

Up Next: The Big Red will be on the road to take on the No. 19 Wittenberg Tigers for a highly anticipated NCAC showdown on Saturday, April 25. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.