Cooper Marrs and Ethan Smith, both recent graduates of Riverside Brookfield High School, have etched their names into Denison University baseball history after guiding the team to its first Division III national championship.
Marrs, a sophomore pitcher, was the linchpin of the championship run. He posted a 7‑0 record, a 2.05 earned‑run average and 60 strikeouts across 16 appearances, and he earned the pitching victory in the opening game of the series, a performance that also secured him all‑tournament honors.
Walk‑on player Ethan Smith, a 2025 RBHS graduate, contributed both on the mound and at the plate, logging three starts and hitting .375 with two RBIs, underscoring the depth of the roster.
The championship series against Endicott College went down to the wire, with Denison clinching the title on a dramatic walk‑off hit that capped a 44‑game winning streak that had been snapped earlier in the World Series opener.
Both athletes spoke about the support they received from teammates, coaches and the broader community, noting that the triumph was as much a communal celebration as a personal milestone.
Community Celebrates
The achievement reverberates beyond the diamond, reinforcing Riverside Brookfield’s reputation for producing versatile talent and highlighting the role of small‑town programs in nurturing Division I athletes.
Denison University’s athletic department and local officials alike have announced plans to honor the championship team, while both Marrs and Smith hint at upcoming seasons filled with ambition and gratitude.