April 24, 2009
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University baseball team split today's double header against Concordia University. The two games marked the final home games played at Sullivan Field in this inaugural season for the Panthers. Bob Sullivan was on hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch in the program dedication game.
Davenport started the day off on the right foot as they scored nine runs only two innings into the game. Tucker Gernhard would also begin strong, holding Concordia scoreless through the first three innings.
Concordia would struggle to score four runs in the remaining innings as Gernhard held his own on the mound. The Panthers would only score one more run on the day in the bottom of the fifth inning, but as Bobby Kwekel came in to close the game, Davenport moved ahead to earn its 30th win of the season. The win sets Gernhard's record at 6-0 on the season as he would leave the game pitching six innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, and zero earned.
Game two action would offer a slow start as both teams struggled to gain any offensive momentum. Concordia would strike first with two in the third, but DU followed suite scoring one just but left many runners on base after a great stop by the Concordia firstbaseman.
Concordia carried a 3-1 lead heading into the sixth inning where they would look to make the game out of reach. The visitors added three runs in the top while DU could only manage one setting the score at 6-2 in favor of the Cardinals heading into the seventh.
After a scoreless top for Concordia, the Panthers loaded the bases with two outs as Jake Loomans stepped to the plate. Unfortunately, Davenport was unable to pull the miracle, as the final out came as Loomans watched the final strike pass over the plate.
The split gives Davenport a 30-20 record and evens the conference record at 9-9. DU will look to rebound as they travel to Ann Arbor tomorrow to face Concordia in a double header. The Panthers will finish off the regular season against Alma College in a nine inning game at Belknap Park on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm as is Sunday's game.
