CHILLICOTHE, OH -- The Denison Big Red (39-6) captured the 2024 North Coast Athletic Conference baseball tournament title with a 17-7 (7 innings) win over the Wittenberg Tigers (26-17) in Game 7 on Sunday at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio. Denison forced Game 7 after claiming a 9-3 victory in Game 6. The NCAC tournament title is the fifth straight crown for Denison.
 
As NCAC tournament champions, Denison has earned the league's automatic bid into the 2024 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship. The NCAA Division III selection show will air live on ncaa.com Monday, May 13 at 12:00 p.m. This year's tournament will begin with the Regional round taking place May 17-19 and will be followed by the 16-team Super Regional around the following weekend, May 24-25. Eight teams will emerge from the Super Regional round to advance to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship. The Championship, hosted by the North Coast Athletic Conference and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, is May 31-June 6th at Classic Auto Group Park in East Lake, Ohio.
 
In Game 6, Denison made it on the board first after first-year Jack Rollo (Chesterfield, MO/Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School) doubled down the right field line, sending senior Noah Leib (Evanston, IL/Evanston Township) and junior Eric Colaco (Richfield, OH/Revere) across home plate. The Big Red added two more runs during the first inning as senior Jake Welsch (Glenmoore, PA/Downingtown West) and Rollo made their way home, scoring on a Wittenberg fielding error. The quick 4-0 lead propelled the Big Red to a 9-3 win over the Tigers. Colaco led Denison, going 2-for-6 with four RBI and a three-run home run. On the mound, first-year Peter Lemke (Geneva, IL/St. Francis) improved to 8-0 on the season, picking up the win after 8.0 innings of work. He allowed eight hits and three earned runs, with zero walks and seven strikeouts. In Game 6, Rocco Royer () went 1-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Tigers. Senior Austin Luther (Hughesville, MD/St. Mary’s Ryken) picked up the loss, pitching 4.0 innings with eight hits, eight runs (seven earned), two walks, two hit-by-pitches and just three strikeouts.
 
During the first inning of Game 7, senior George Viebrock (Bethel, CT/Bethel) and the Big Red were quick to record three outs against the Tigers, giving them the opportunity to score first. Welsch knocked in the first of his four RBI during the first inning, advancing first-year Jack Lutte (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) and loading the bases. Denison added two more to the board as Leib and Colaco ran home, scoring on a wild pitch from junior Nate Floyd (Akron, OH/Copley). In the top of the second, first-year Xavier Rodriguez (Salinas, PR/Franklin County) brought Wittenberg within two as he homered to right center. However during Denison’s next at-bat, the Big Red scored four to take a 7-1 lead. Despite being down six, Wittenberg continued to battle back, adding another run during the top of the third inning on a single from senior Conor O’Malley (Avon, OH/St. Edward’s) that sent Thatcher Dietz (Westerville, OH/South) home. Senior Owen Wilson (Charlotte, NC/South Mecklenburg) extended the Big Red's lead to six after he was walked, stole second, stole third, and then sent home on an RBI from sophomore Alex Vasquez (Evanston, IL/Evanston Township). Similarly, Lutte made it around the bases as he was walked and advanced home on three consecutive wild pitches. Wittenberg’s senior Luke Thomas (Tallmadge, OH/Tallmadge) and Royer gave the Tigers a spark as they combined for three RBI in the fourth inning to bring Wittenberg within four (9-5). However, Denison would answer again as sophomore Erik Sundgren (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) scored on a flyout to center field from senior Colin Ravin (Charlotte, NC/Providence Day School). The Big Red added three more runs in the fifth and the Tigers scored for the last time during the sixth inning as Thomas would score on a fielding error by Sundgren and Seibert made it home for the final time on a flyout to centerfield from O’Malley. Denison outscored Wittenberg 17-to-7, ending the game in the seventh inning after triggering the 10-run rule in place for the final tournament game.
 
In Game 7, Denison was led by Sudgren as he went 3-for-4 with six RBI and one extra base. Welsch finished with four RBI, one walk, and one double as he hit 3-for-5. Junior Ryan Starr (Avon, OH/Avon) earned the win, improving to 2-1, as he pitched .2 innings, striking out 1-of-4 batters faced and leaving three runners left on base in a critical fifth inning. Thomas and O’Malley led Wittenberg, recording two RBI and hitting 1-for-3 and 1-for-2, respectively. Floyd picked up the loss after 1.2 innings pitched, allowing three hits, three walks, and seven runs; he struck out two batters.
 
Denison's Colaco was named the 2024 NCAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. He was joined on the honor list by four teammates: