The College of Wooster totaled 12 hits and 11 runs during its doubleheader with Denison University, but a solid offensive effort from the Fighting Scots wasn't enough, as the Big Red slugged their way to 12-4 and 10-7 victories on Wednesday afternoon in late-season, North Coast Athletic Conference contests at Granville, Ohio.
It didn't take the Scots (15-19, 5-9 NCAC) long to get on the scoreboard in the opener, as Paige Goldberg reached on an error and stole second base, and then Carly Schoenstein drove her home with a single through the right side of the infield to go ahead 1-0 in the top of the first.
Denison (14-16, 6-6 NCAC) responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame and added another two in the second to take a 5-1 lead.
Wooster loaded the bases in an unusual way in the third – as an error, a walk, and a hit batter did the trick – and then Stephenie Little drew a walk to notch an RBI and cut the Scots' deficit to 5-2.
Trailing 7-2 entering the fourth, Demi Hart lined a two-run single to left center which made it 7-4, but every time the Scots nudged closer, Denison responded. The Big Red tacked on four runs in the fourth and another tally in the fifth to complete a 12-4 run-rule victory.
Not dwelling on defeat, Wooster appeared poised to earn a split with a four-run first inning in the nightcap. First Goldberg scored on a wild pitch. Next, Little doubled to left field to plate Schoenstein. Finally, Linea Brouse blasted a double right that brought home a pair and gave the Scots an early 4-0 cushion.
That's when the momentum shifted, as Wooster totaled just two more hits between the second and sixth innings, while Denison poured on 10 runs during that same stretch.
Now in a 10-4 hole, the Scots tried to dig out in the seventh. Little collected her 20th RBI of the season with a single up the middle, and later in the frame, Hart drove in two more, but was called out trying to stretch a single into a double, which ended the comeback bid at 10-7.
Goldberg paced Wooster's offense, going 3-for-5 at the dish with four runs scored, while Hart recorded two hits and four RBI.
The Scots will look to end the season on a high note on Saturday at first-place DePauw University (23-12, 12-2 NCAC). The doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m.
