Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a 10-part series recapping the Top 10 sports moments of the 2013-14 year at Davenport University as compiled by the DU Sports Information Department. New moments will be revealed over the next few weeks. See the bottom of the page for links to all of the top-ten moments and a full schedule. If you would like to make any comments about the selections, please email athletics@davenport.edu or post our questions to twitter (@DUAthletics) or visit our facebook page (@DUAthletics).May 7, 2014 |
Box Score |
Photo Gallery FORT WAYNE, Ind. –
Zac Wilson and
Ryan Manning's first hits in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament came at the right time as a leadoff single from Wilson followed by an walk-off double from Manning broke a tie ball game and lifted the Davenport baseball team to a 3-2 victory over Indiana Tech to clinch the program's first league tournament championship Wednesday evening.
With the WHAC Tournament trophy, the Panthers receive an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. Pairings are to be announced Friday at 8 p.m. EDT through the NAIA's website.
Although he received a no decision,
Corey Sessions took the Panthers (41-15) into the ninth inning allowing the two runs on seven hits. In addition, he struck out six and didn't allow any free passes. He surrendered the first run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
The Panthers offense meanwhile had trouble figuring out WHAC Player of the Year Justin Kalusa, who kept Davenport hitless until the seventh inning when
Zack Sardellitti doubled to right center. Courtesy runner
Connor Seymour moved to third on Wilson's bunt and scored the tying run on
Cam Cooper's fly ball to center.
Indiana Tech (33-23-1), which committed two critical errors in the Panthers 5-2 win 24 hours ago, made another defensive miscue that enabled the Panthers to take a 2-1 lead in the eighth. Right-hander
EJ Grochowalski hit an opposite two-out double and scored when
Jordan Zylstra's groundball to third slipped underneath the third baseman.
Sessions couldn't quite hold on to the lead as a leadoff solo shot to the deepest part of the yard in center field allowed the Warriors to keep their tournament championship hopes alive.
Jonathan Cheshire (4-0) relieved the sophomore and retired the side in order.
Wilson opened the Panthers half of the ninth with a single up the middle and Manning hit a line drive to center to allow the freshman to score from first.
#10 – Catic's Golden Goal Beats Aquinas in 2OT#9 - Benitez Claims WHAC Medalist Honors#8 - Ford Breaks Men's Basketball Scoring Record#7 - Spiech and Fuentes Dominate ITA Regional#6 - Manning's Walk-Off Clinches WHAC Baseball Tournament#5 - Wednesday, June 18#4 - Monday June 23#3 - Wednesday, June 25#2 - Monday, June 30#1- Wednesday, July 2
