Brie Berkopec hit the go-ahead two-RBI double in DU's 5-1 game one win at Hiram.

For the third time in the last four season and the sixth time in the program's 12 year history, the Denison University softball team has captured the North Coast Athletic Conference regular season title. The Big Red won the crown with a 5-1 win in the opening game at Hiram College. The Terriers took the nightcap 7-5.

Since the tournament format was instituted in 2001, DU has appeared in all but one NCAC Tournament (2004), which include berths in the last five post seasons. The Big Red have also compiled at least 20 wins for the fifth straight season and the eighth time in the last nine years.

With the score tied 1-1 in game one Denison took their only lead of the game following a three-run fifth inning. First-year Lauren Lynn (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) and sophomore Erica Evans (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) both drew two-out walks. Junior Brie Berkopec (Mars, Pa./Mars Senior) made Hiram pay for the two free passes with a two-RBI double. After a base hit by Alex Murray (Mayfield Hts., Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) put runners on the corner, Berkopec crossed the dish on an RBI double by Emily Croll (Oak Harbor, Ohio/Oak Harbor). DU tacked on an insurance run in the seventh to secure the 5-1 victory.

Evans went 2-for-2 with a double, two runs and an RBI to spark the Big Red offense. Junior pitcher Leslie Brenner (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) tossed all seven innings allowing one run off 12 hits with two strikeouts.

In game two, Denison committed four miscues as the Terriers earned the twinbill split and locked up the second seed in the NCAC Tournament. Hiram took a 6-3 lead after scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth as eight consecutive batters reached base. DU plated a run in both the fifth and sixth to trim the deficit to 6-5, but the Terriers added an insurance tally in the bottom of the sixth.

Murray, Hannah Price (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson), Sam Rumschlag (Carmel, Ind./Cathedral), Amy Eberlin (Toronto, Ont./Leaside) and Amanda Tipton (Massillon, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) all recorded multiple hits for the Big Red. Murray scored twice while Price drove in a pair. Rumschlag suffered the loss giving up seven runs (five earned) off nine hits with four Ks in six innings of work.

Denison is now 21-14 overall and finished 11-3 in the NCAC. The Big Red close out the regular season on Monday when they host Defiance College at 3:30 p.m.

Game 1 Box [htm]

Game 2 Box [htm]