Surbaugh’s Walk-Off Gives Denison Their First NCAC Tournament Championship Since 2012

The Big Red receive the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament

5/8/2026 4:36:00 PM

Box Score Springfield, Ohio - Big time moments are built off of big time opportunities, and the Denison softball team delivered, defeating top-seeded Wittenberg in a cage fight 4-3 off the bat of senior Brooke Surbaugh to send the Big Red into the NCAA Tournament. Denison wins their first NCAC Tournament Championship since 2012 and seventh overall, and brings a 20-19 overall record into the postseason.

The Tigers kicked off the scoring early with an RBI single to go up 1-0 in the first frame. The Big Red fired back immediately, as Carely Melton brought in Indy Workman off of an RBI single, and Surbaugh was able to put a ball in play to then bring home Melton to put Denison up 2-1 after one inning of play.

Both squads would trade runs in the second inning, as Wittenberg scored to even up the game at two, but Workman answered right back with a single to score Briana Gonzalez to put Denison up by one run once again, 3-2.

A defensive grudge match would ensue over the next four innings, with pitcher Madilyn Moffitt in the circle, she kept the Tigers quiet, not letting the host team rally as she paced the Denison defense. She finished her day with 108 pitches, the sixth time she has reached triple digits this season.

Up 3-2 in the top of the seventh, Wittenberg tied the game up with an RBI single, but would be their only run, sending the game into the bottom of the seventh, and Denison just needing one run to effectively end the game.

The inning started off with another Workman hit, putting her on first base, and then Moffitt reached first on an error, sending Workman to second with two outs. To the plate came Surbaugh, who in the first game of the tournament hit a grand slam to propel the Big Red to a 10-1 win over DePauw. She faced a 3-2 count, battling with foul balls and great vision to lengthen the plate appearance.

On the 3-2 pitch, Surbaugh answered, just as she did all tournament, and blasted a shot into right center, one bouncing to the fence and bringing Workman in from second for a walk-off single, delivering Denison their seventh NCAC Tournament Championship, 4-3.

Key Highlights

Surbaugh completed her day going 2-for-4 at the dish and the game-sealing RBI. She would also pick up the win, coming in to pitch the final out of the seventh.
Workman was the other Big Red with multiple hits, going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Melton, Emerson Seevers, and Gonzalez each recorded hits.
Moffitt pitched 6.2 innings, giving up seven hits, three runs, three strikeouts on 108 pitches.
RIley Smith, Moffitt, Melton, and Workman were named to the All-Tournament Team. Surbaugh was named Tournament MVP.
With the win, Denison punches its ticket into the NCAA Tournament, and records their third-consecutive 20-win season.

Up Next for the Big Red

Denison will wait to hear their name called from the selection show on Monday, May 11 at 11 am to see where they head for the NCAA Tournament.

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