Granville, Ohio: The nation's No. 1 team closed out conference play with a double header against the NCAC newcomers, John Carroll. Before game one, the 12 seniors of the class of 2026 were honored for their time, effort, and dedication to the Denison Baseball program and Big Red athletics as a whole. Together, the senior class has amassed four NCAC championships, three NCAC tournament championships, three NCAA appearances with a Super Regional Championship and World Series appearance. Collectively, the class has delivered an astonishing 154-26 record.
In game one, Will Rettig rewrote the Denison history books, notching 8 K's to bring his career total to 238, five more than the previous record of 233 set by Taylor Perrett in 2022. The Big Red escaped in a tight 6-4 victory. In game two, an eight-run second inning lifted the Big Red to a 13-1, 7-inning victory. With the pair of wins, Denison moves to 37-1 on the season, rattling off 36 straight wins and securing a perfect NCAC record on the year (16-0).Â
Game 1: No. 1 Denison 6, John Carroll 4
Despite the frigid May weather, the Big Red were able to honor the 12 seniors before game one. Following the ceremony, the senior righty Will Rettig got his 11th start of the season on the mound. The Blue Streaks grabbed one run while Rettig fanned two, tying the Denison career strikeout record.
In the second inning, John Carroll was able to steal another run to take an early 2-0 lead, however, Rettig was able to pick up a swinging strike three to take his spot as the lone career leader for strikeouts. In the bottom of the frame, the lineup supported the starter with a four-run performance to take a 4-2 lead. A slurry of walks and hit by pitches tallied Erik Sundgren and Jack Lutte RBIs while Nate Lloyd laced a two-RBI base hit to move the lead.
The Blue Streaks grabbed their final runs of game one in the top of the fourth, only to be met with a response run that gave back the lead to Denison as Eron Vega scored on a balk.
In Rettig's final inning of work, the senior stranded three John Carroll runners to escape unscathed and keep the one-run lead alive. Fellow senior Ryan Paganelis came out of the bullpen and recorded a shutout in the top of the sixth. The final run of game one was plated in the bottom of the sixth, as Sundgren and Vega were able to put pressure on the corners and force an error that allowed Vega to take home for a 6-4 lead.
The final three innings became a pitcher's duel. The duo of Paganelis and Devin Parker was surgical, only allowing one hit over 4.0 innings. Ultimately, the trio of Rettig, Paganelis, and Parker fanned 11. Rettig moved to 11-0 on the season with the win, and Parker was credited with his fourth save of the season.
At the plate, Vega led the way with a 3-5 performance, the only batter to record multiple hits for Denison. Nate Lloyd led the team with a pair of RBIs.
Game 2: No. 1 Denison 13, John Carroll 1 (7 Innings)
Following a close game one victory, the Denison squad caught early fire after a great start from senior Robbie Lee. In the first at bat, a two-run bomb over the right field wall from Jack Lutte was immediately followed by a triple from Erik Sundgren.Â
In the top of the second, Lee recorded three straight swinging strike threes to retire the side. In the bottom of the second, the Big Red bats exploded for eight runs. Three straight walks loaded the bases and allowed Denison to maintain momentum. A double from Sundgren plated two before a base hit from Kelly Crittenberger accounted for the first four runs. The Big Red batted around the order, and senior Tristan Kerr, who led off the inning with a walk, blasted a no doubt, three-run homer off the light pole in left field to take an 11-0 lead after two innings.
After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third from Lee, Denison posted its final runs of the day after senior Cade Nowik cleared the bases with a two-run double off the centerfield wall.
After 5.0 innings from Lee, the duo of Connor Remley and Jack Rollo handled work on the mound in the sixth inning. The tandem was able to record three outs to hold onto the 12-run lead. In the final frame, Eron Vega made his first appearance of the season on the mound and tallied three straight putouts to close the game and secure Denison's 36th consecutive victory.
The staff of Lee, Remley, Rollo, and Vega allowed just one run on five hits and struck out six batters. At the dish, Lutte, Kerr, and Crittenberger all racked up three RBIs. Sundgren, Nowik, and Kerr recorded two hits apiece. Zach Mowder got his first start of his career.
Up Next: With the one seed secured for the NCAC tournament, the Big Red will be back in action on Thursday, May 7, at VA Memorial Field in Chillicothe, Ohio, where they will take on the NCAC No. 4 John Carroll Blue Streaks. Game time is yet to be determined.
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