April 4, 2009
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport got two big wins in conference play today as they used a strong outing from Tucker Gernhard in an 8-1 victory in game one and then followed it with a rally in extra innings to win game two 15-14. The wins lift DU to 23-11 on the year and 3-3 in the WHAC.
Game one was dominated from the mound by Davenport starter Tucker Gernhard. The freshman who has not allowed an earned run in three games, went six today while striking out eight Saints and giving up only four hits. He did yield an earned run but the Davenport offense made up for it while bringing across three in the second and three more in the third.
Derrick Gentile got things going with the long ball as he belted a homerun in the bottom of the second to bring home two other teammates and Matt Collins kept the theme going in the 3rd when he connected on a deep ball that was followed by runs by Joe Freist and Brian Spykerman to put the Panthers up 6-1. Collins finished the game only a triple shy of the cycle as Joe Hill and Spykerman each posted at least two hits.
Game two was a wild one that saw the visiting Saints put up runs in every at-bat but it was the late rallies from the host Panthers that lifted them to the double-header sweep. After taking a 9-6 lead into the top of the 6th, the Saints tacked on two more to increase their lead to five runs. DU however would not go quietly as they scored six runs in the bottom half to lead by one entering the final frame.
Unfortunately that would be the beginning of the madness as Siena Heights rallied to tie the game at 12 after a few costly errors from the DU fielders. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Gentile almost came up with the game winning hit but the ball stayed up just long enough for the SHU left fielder to snag it and end the threat sending the game into extra innings.
The Saints then took what looked like to be game deciding lead as they brought across two runs in the 8th to take a 14-12 lead.
Again though the Panthers refused to go down whithout a fight and they proceeded to to put the first two batters on as Mitch Pike singled to right and Joe Hill drew a walk. James Folske then hustled out a bunt single which brought home Pike and Hill advanced to third on a throwing error. Joe Freist then singled to bring home the tying run which also loaded the bases with nobody out. The game then ended as the Saints pitcher walked home the winning run giving Davenport a thrilling 15-14 comeback victory in 8-innings.
The two wins lift Davenport to 23-11 on the year and 3-3 in WHAC play. They will conclue the four game series with Siena Heights on Sunday in Adrian. Game one's first pitch is set for 1:00 PM.
