Denison Uses Tough Pitching to Sweep Wooster

The College of Wooster softball team was overwhelmed by Denison University's pitchers Sunday, as Rebecca Dyer threw a no-hitter in game one, and Kelsey Hager allowed just four hits in the second game, resulting in matching 8-0 setbacks for the Fighting Scots in a North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader at Granville, Ohio.

In the first inning of the opener, the Scots (9-17, 1-5 NCAC) were in position to tack on a run, as Kelley Johnson led off with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Dyer struck out the other three batters she faced to get out of the frame unharmed.

Denison's (21-5, 6-0 NCAC) Meghan Edwards hit a two-run homer in the second to give the Big Red a 2-0 lead, but Wooster again threatened to get on the scoreboard in the third. Johnson reached base on an error to start the inning, and then Erica Villa and Lauren Swinehart pushed her to third with back-to-back sacrifice bunts, but once again Dyer was able to avoid harm.

Wooster remained within 2-0 through four innings until Denison exploded for six runs in the fifth, which included a double by Kelly Cunningham that drove in a pair and gave the Big Red their 8-0 run-rule victory.

The Scots were able to record four hits in the second game, with their best scoring opportunity coming in the first inning, which Johnson kicked off with a sharp single through the left side of the infield. Swinehart and Gina Pirolozzi later drew walks to load the bases, but the next two Wooster batter both hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.

Pirolozzi, Caitlin Gaffney, and Danielle Grooms were the other Scots to hit safely against Hager in game two.

For Denison, Dyer struck out seven batters in the no-hitter to improve to 7-3 on the season, while Hager struck out two to move to 10-1. Wooster pitchers Jenn Horton and Pirolozzi both struggled on the afternoon, but did each notch four strikeouts.

Next up, Wooster visits Allegheny College for a doubleheader Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.