Mary Beth Krolikowski was just a single away from the cycle in DU's 11-2 game-two win over Case Western Reserve on Wednesday.

The Denison softball team continued their winning ways with a doubleheader sweep at Case Western Reserve University on Wednesday afternoon in Cleveland, Ohio. The Big Red won the opener 9-3 and completed the sweep with an 11-2 victory in the second game.

Senior Mary Beth Krolikowski (Brunswick, Ohio/Holy Name) was on at the dish as she hit .600 (6-for-10) for the twinbill. In the nightcap, Krolikowski came up just a single shy of hitting the cycle. The senior finished the day with a home run, triple, two doubles, five RBIs and five runs scored. Also making a huge contribution offensively on the day was sophomore shortstop Erica Evans (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington). Evans went a combined 4-for-8 with two doubles, four runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base.

Denison posted at least one tally in each of the first five innings of game one. The Big Red blew the game with a four-run fourth inning to increase their lead to 7-1. DU had a chance to end the contest in five innings after gaining a 9-1 advantage, but a two-run outing by the Spartans prolonged the game.

In addition to Krolikowski and Evan's offensive performances, junior Brie Berkopec (Mars, Pa./Mars Senior) went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles an RBI and a run. Leslie Brenner (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) went the distance allowing three runs off eight hits with six strikeouts.

In game two, the Big Red scored in every inning except fifth en route to the win. A Krolikowski three-run home run sparked another four-run frame, this time in the second, to give Denison an early 5-0 advantage. First-year Lauren Lynn went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Junior Sam Rumschlag (Carmel, Ind./Cathedral) surrendered two runs (one earned) while scattering six hits and fanning three.

DU improves to 17-12 on the year while Case falls to 14-19 overall. The Big Red resumes North Coast Athletic Conference play on Saturday when they travel to Oberlin College to take on the Yeowomen. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m.

Game One Box [htm]

Game Two Box [htm]