March 28, 2009
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
LIVONIA, Mich. - After dropping their first WHAC game in school history, Davenport rallied in the second to post a 4-2 win over the #11 Madonna Crusaders. The split lifts DU to 21-9 on the year and 1-1 in league play as the Panthers posted their first ever win over an NAIA Top-25 Team.
In the opening game, Madonna showed why they are ranked so high as their offense exploded for four runs in the first and tagged on one more in the second off DU starter Andy Westerburg. After the tough start, Andy settled down and did not allow another Crusader across the plate and finished the game with three strikeouts while giving up seven hits.
The offense for Davenport never got on track though as they managed only four hits and only five players got on board as they were shutout 5-0.
The second game was much different though as it started out the exact opposite with DU getting off to a fast start when Joe Hill walked and got to third on a steal and wild pitch. He then came home on a single by Matt Collins and after two strikeouts put an early threat in jeopardy, Derrick Gentile came up huge with a two-out, RBI double and DU finished the first innings leading 2-0.
The Panthers bats continued in the second as they tacked on one more run when James Folske doubled to right center which brought home Tyler Thurlow. Madonna did cut into the Davenport lead in the bottom of the second but DU pitcher Tucker Gernhard was solid for all seven innings.
Tucker finished the Crusaders off in the seventh with two strikeouts and a fly-out as DU came away with a series split and their first win ever over a ranked opponent.
Davenport's first four hitters (Joe Hill, James Folske, Matt Collins and Brian Spykerman) all finished with two hits each and Gernhard completed his start with six strikeouts while giving up only four hits.
Sunday's double-header between the same two teams has been cancelled and the makeup double-header will be on Monday, March 30 at Sullivan Field beginning at 2:00 PM.
