Greencastle, Ind.- Taylor Golden and Morgan McCord blasted homers in a seven-run fourth inning, leading DePauw to a 9-2 victory over Denison in the first round of the North Coast Athletic Conference Softball Tournament.

The Tigers moved to on the year and will play Wittenberg in the winner's bracket starting at approximately 2:35 p.m. Denison dropped to 19-18 overall and plays Allegheny in the loser's bracket starting at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Julie Rooney ignited the Big Red offense as she hit a line drive over the left field wall on the first pitch of the contest. Denison would add one run in the top of the third on a pair of hits and a DePauw error. Rooney hit a one out single to center and moved to second on Sarah Herold's bunt single. On the play, Rooney was able to get to third on an errant throw from Kahla Nolan. Rooney later scored on a wild pitch, giving the Big Red a 2-0 lead.

DePauw battled back to tie the contest with two runs in the bottom half of the third. Sammi Bell walked and moved to third on Elizabeth Getz's single up the middle. Getz stole second and Linsey Button followed with a single to center, plating Bell and Getz.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers sent nine batters to the plate, scoring seven runs to take a commanding 9-2 lead. Jennifer Ridge singled to center and moved to third on Alli Dennie's double to left field. With one out in the inning Getz reached on a fielding error, plating Ridge from third. Button reached on a bunt single to first, scoring pinch-runner Julia Waggoner.

Lauren Godden singled to left center, giving the Tigers a 5-2 advantage. With two runners on and one out in the inning, Golden hit a line drive off the scoreboard in left field to put DePauw in front 8-2. Following a ground out, McCord deposited an 0-2 pitch over the batting cage and into retention pond in left center.

Relief pitcher Emma Baldwin closed out the remaining three innings, allowing just two hits with four strikeouts to pick up her third save of the season. Nolan improved to 14-7 on the year, tossing four innings with five hits and five strikeouts.

Lauren Secaras took the loss, going 3.1 innings with nine hits and six earned runs.

Button paced the Tigers with three hits and three RBI, while Golden added two hits and three RBI.

For more information on the NCAC Softball Tournament click here.