A championship night in Eastlake
The Denison Big Red erupted in celebration on June 4 as they captured their first NCAA Division III baseball championship, edging Endicott College 4-3 in a ten‑inning thriller at the College World Series site in Eastlake, Ohio.
The victory was the culmination of a tightly contested series that began with Endicott’s 11‑10 extra‑inning win, forcing a decisive third game that would determine the champion.
Freshman right‑hander Devin Parker, a graduate of Olentangy Orange High School, delivered 7 ⅓ shutout innings, allowing only two hits while striking out eight and walking two, preserving the lead until the final frame.
Offensively, Endicott struck first in the second inning when John Fusco drove in a run with an RBI single, but Denison answered in the third with a two‑run homer from T.J. Liponis that put them ahead 3‑1.
The Big Red’s offense continued to chip away, with Max Fishbein’s solo homer in the fifth narrowing the gap to 3‑2, and Eron Vega’s double in the sixth driving in Kelly Crittenberger to make it 3‑2 before Vega himself scored on Erik Sundgren’s single to force a tie at 3‑3.
The game remained deadlocked through regulation, and the tension escalated in the bottom of the tenth when Crittenberger opened with a single, advanced to second on Vega’s hit, setting the stage for Jack Lutte’s decisive single that scored Crittenberger with the winning run.
Key contributors shine
Jack Lutte’s clutch hit, combined with the steady hands of Kelly Crittenberger and the poise of Erik Sundgren, illustrated the depth of Denison’s lineup, while the pitching staff’s discipline, led by Parker, proved decisive.
Parker’s performance earned him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honors, underscoring the impact of a freshman on such a high‑stakes stage.
Denison University’s athletic director praised the team’s resilience, noting that the title reflects the program’s growth and the dedication of coaches, players, and supporters throughout the season.