Emily Orsini, Managing Editor
As the winter athletic season takes strides toward the postseason, spring sports are ramping up.
After a historic season with a NCAA DIII World Series appearance, Denison’s baseball team is ready to hit the ground running. Outfielder Erik Sundgren ‘26 was named to the Preseason All-American first team after a standout year in 2025, where he batted .388 with 13 doubles and 17 home runs.
The team was ranked No. 3 in the DIII Baseball Preseason Poll, setting up their schedule before conference play to face better competition at more out-of-state tournaments. They will compete in Greensboro, North Carolina on Feb 20-22 in the D3 Showcase, in Lexington, Kentucky from Feb 27 -March 1 in the Transylvania Tournament, in Naperville, Illinois from March 13-15 for the Midwest Classic and during spring break in Portland, Newberg and McMinnville, Oregon.
The Big Red brings in twelve first-years to round out the roster after graduating seven seniors at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
The softball team finished first in the regular season in 2025, earning the right to host the NCAC tournament. Following the season, the program graduated three seniors—two of whom captured NCAC Player/Position Player of the Year honors. With five first-years added to the roster, the Big Red remains a young squad, featuring 11 underclassmen.
The Big Red will start their season in Columbus, Georgia where they’ll participate in the NFCA Leadoff Classic and play multiple top 25 ranked teams March 6-8. They then travel to Elizabethtown, Kentucky to play in the Pioneer Classic from March 17-21.
The women’s lacrosse team enters the season after a strong 2025 campaign, returning a core group of experienced contributors. In the preseason rankings, the Big Red sit at No. 10. Although they graduated several key seniors, the addition of nine first-years will help to round out the roster and set them up for success. Mary Martinson ‘26 was named to the preseason All-American squad. With a balanced mix of veteran leadership and young talent, Denison looks to build on last season’s momentum as it prepares for a competitive NCAC slate.
The team starts their season on Feb. 21 where they take on No. 4 ranked Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They also face other ranked competition, including at No. 21 University of Chicago on March 7, and No. 24 Messiah University at home.
The men’s lacrosse team were ranked No. 20 in the DIII preseason poll, and have four returning All-Americans. The team ranked second in the NCAC Preseason Poll behind last year’s champions, Ohio Wesleyan University.
The Big Red start their season on Feb. 14 where they play fourth ranked Rochester Institute of Technology at home.
The men’s tennis team took the NCAA by storm last season where they won the NCAA championship. The Big Red are currently 3-0, with their next competition being against DePauw University on Feb. 13.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association will host Denison in St. Pete, Minnesota on Feb 20-22 where they will play No. 21 Gustavus Adolphus. Although the Big Red graduated four seniors at the conclusion of the 2025 season, the six first-year additions will help bring depth and energy to the roster.
The women’s tennis team entered the spring ranked No. 30 in the Division III preseason poll. Denison will open its season on Feb. 14 against Carnegie Mellon before heading south for a spring break trip to Florida from March 16–20.
The Big Red returns significant experience to the lineup, including three first team All-NCAC Singles honorees and a pair of third team All-NCAC doubles selections, giving the team a strong foundation as it prepares for conference play.
The men’s and women’s track and field teams will conclude their indoor season after the NCAA tournament on March 14 and 15, and will begin their spring outdoor season on March 28 during the Denison Lid-Lifter event.
Both programs return multiple athletes who qualified for conference championships and postseason competition during the indoor season, providing a strong foundation heading into the spring.