Big Red spring sports highlights

Coach Mike Deegan was thrilled so many alums attended the NCAA regional and super regional wins that sent the Big Red to their first Division III College World Series.

“This was a program victory,” said Deegan, who has guided the Big Red to seven consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. “This is part of being really good for a long time, and a lot of guys got to share in the moment.”

The Big Red, who won one game in the double-elimination World Series, finished the season with a 41-7 record. They broke a school record with 20 consecutive victories.

Deegan lauded the work of a deep pitching staff led by senior Nick Falter, a who went 12-0 with a 2.52 earned run average. Falter was named second-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and D3baseball.com.

Junior Erik Sundgren, an ABCA first-team All-American, paced the offense with a team-high 17 home runs and 81 runs batted in. Senior Eric Colaco was an ABCA third teamer and sophomore Sam Larson was a D3baseball.com third-team selection.

The Big Red enjoyed a historic season with a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals. Denison recorded its first win over a top-10 opponent in Amanda Daniels’ 12-year tenure with a 16-15 triumph over No. 5 Franklin & Marshall College in the Sweet Sixteen.

“It was an amazing feeling to see all the hard work pay off with a win like that,” said Daniels, who’s guided the Big Red to 11 consecutive NCAA appearances. “We’ve just been chipping away at being seen on the same level as a Franklin & Marshall, a Gettysburg College and a Middlebury College.”

The senior class had been knocked out in the Sweet Sixteen in their three previous seasons, and it was a goal to reach the Elite Eight. Mission accomplished.

The club boasted four All-Americans. Senior defender Mary Daniel was named to the USA Lacrosse third team for a second consecutive season. Senior Anna DeVuono, who scored a team-high 80 goals in 21 games, was named to the IWLCA first team. Senior Liz Hinton, and junior Mary Martinson were third-team IWLCA picks.

A full story on Denison winning the NCAA team title for the first time in program history can be found here. Following the team tournament, three players competed in the singles and doubles action in Claremont, California.

Juniors Kael Shah, Ethan Green, and Jacob Patterson participated in singles competition with Shah finishing runner-up for a second consecutive year. Shah and Green reached the quarterfinals in doubles. All three players earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American recognition.

Head coach David Schilling ’89 and assistant Grant MacPherson were named ITA regional head coach and assistant of the year.

The Big Red won 10 of their last 11 regular-season games to finish as NCAC co-champions – their first conference title since 2011. They earned the honor in dramatic fashion by going on the road on the season’s final day and sweeping perennial power DePauw University in a doubleheader.

“To beat them on their home field is something I don’t think a lot of people thought was possible,” NCAC Coach of the Year Tiffany Ozbun said. “It was really cool for our athletes to do that because DePauw has enjoyed such a powerful reign over the past six or seven years.”

The Big Red finished the season with a 26-13 record overall and 12-2 in the conference.

Senior Annabelle Calderon was recognized as the Division III National Catcher of the Year for a second consecutive season. Calderon, who hit .458 and collected 14 home runs and 20 doubles, became the first player in program history to be named All-American in back-to-back seasons. She and fellow senior Sydney Silverstein were all-regional selections.

Coach Eric Koch continues to produce results since arriving at Denison — four seasons, four NCAA tournament appearances.

The Big Red finished with a 13-7 record and suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to No. 11 Dickinson College in an NCAA first-round game.

“We didn’t bring home the hardware we were looking for, but anytime you take care of business and make it to the NCAA tournament it’s a good year,” Koch said.

Seven players earned All-American distinction. Senior Tommy Quinson and junior Al Boxler were honorable mentions from USA Lacrosse. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association recognized Quinson and Boxler; seniors Jack Hines and Collin Murphy; juniors Andrew Albert and Grant Larson; and sophomore Charlie Haight as honorable mentions.

Quinson finished an illustrious career with 168 goals and 68 assists in 81 games.

The Big Red won their fifth consecutive conference tournament and placed 16th at the NCAA tournament, barely missing the team cut.

First-year Siena Maschke not only made the individual cut but finished tied for 38th. Coach Lauren Grogan caddied for Maschke over the final two rounds, and her teammates remained in Williamsburg, Virginia, for support.

Maschke, sophomore Lizzy Grant, and senior Ella McRoberts earned first-team, all-regional honors, with Maschke being named NCAC Newcomer of the Year. McRoberts was a four-time all-conference first team selection.

Senior Andrew Gallagher finished his career in historic fashion, firing a final-round 66 in the conference tournament. It tied the lowest 18-hole round in program history, and vaulted him into eighth place. Gallagher earned all-NCAC second-team honors.

The Big Red finished fourth overall in the conference tournament, a good sign for a young squad. “We had a strong finish at conference and, while everyone wants to win it, it showed the promise of what’s to come,” Grogan said.

The Big Red were runners-up in the NCAC tournament, capping an impressive season with a 16-7 record.

First-year Caitlin VanWinkle was named NCAC Newcomer of the Year and earned first-team, all-conference recognition. Junior Peyton Oda was also a first-team honoree, who has a combined 94 wins in singles and doubles.

Coach Jamie Scott registered her 100th victory in her eighth season.

The Big Red finished second at the conference meet with 12 athletes earning all-NCAC honors. Regional recognition went to seniors Jack Blais (long jump), Andrew D’Asaro (javelin), Ari Skolnik (110-meter hurdles), Chris Slater (shot put, hammer throw), and first-year Seamus McCann (pole vault).

Denison had a strong showing at the NCAA meet with three athletes gaining All-American status. Slater (fifth, hammer throw) and D’Asaro (eighth, javelin) were first-team selections, while Skolnik (16th, hurdles) was a second-teamer.

Denison placed fourth at the conference meet with eight athletes earning all-NCAC honors. Junior Emily Brennan (400-meter hurdles) was named to the all-regional team.