March 7, 2010

Box Score

PULASKI, Tenn. - It took Davenport's offense a few innings to heat up on Saturday afternoon, but it was too late as they fell 8-5 in the opening game against Martin Methodist. The Panthers did rebound however to post an impressive 7-1 win in the second game of the double-header.

The Panthers fell behind early as Martin Methodist hit a two run homerun in the bottom of the first, but the Panthers responded with a run of their own in the top of the third inning as Travis Laver (Holland, Mich.) scored off a Matt Collins (Akron, Ohio) RBI. The host Red Hawks would respond in a big way in the bottom half of the third inning as they used two Davenport errors, three base hits, and a homerun to put up seven runs.

The Panthers fought back with two runs in the top of the fourth as Matt McNeil (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) and Brian Spykerman (Anaheim, Calif.) both scored via a pair of bases loaded walks. Davenport would get their final two runs in the seventh inning as Austin Licon (Rockford, Ill.) hit a towering two run homerun to right field.

Brandon Romero (Hart, Mich.) took the loss for the Panthers in two plus innings of work. Zak Gonzalez (Comstock Park, Mich.) would throw the final four innings giving up zero earned runs and recording two strikeouts.

Game two was much different than the first as the Panthers would be the team to get the early lead as they scored two runs in the first inning off a Licon RBI single and a Jacob Loomans (Grandville, Mich.) RBI bases loaded walk. The Panthers added to their lead in the top of the third as Brian Spykerman hit a solo homerun to straight away center field. The Red Hawks scored their lone run in the bottom of the third via two Davenport errors.

Davenport's bats would again come alive in the fifth inning as Licon scored via a RBI line drive single to right field by Loomans. The Panthers would add to their lead in the seventh inning as David Stuppy (Dowagiac, Mich.) hit an RBI double down the left field line. Stuppy would then be brought home by a Travis Laver RBI single.

The Panthers rode an outstanding pitching performance from Tucker Gernhard (Stafford, Va.) to get the win in game two. Gernhard threw 6 innings, giving up one unearned run, and striking out nine. Gordon Powers would throw the final inning, recording two strikeouts.

After the double header split, the Panthers are now 6-7 on the season. Davenport returns to action Sunday as they travel over to Kentucky to take on MCC foe Lindsey Wilson College for a double header starting at 12:00 CT.