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BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Davenport softball team finished the first day of the Olivet Nazarene University tournament on a high note after a frustrating opening game.  Karlee Despres recorded her second no-hitter of the season in the team's 6-0 win over McKendree after a 10-3 loss to #14 ONU.  The team will be back in action tomorrow against Judson and Aquinas.

In game one DU struggled to control the game and committed numerous errors against #14 Olivet Nazarene.  The Tigers scored five runs in the first three innings, while the Panthers only put one on the board.   In the top of the fourth DU pulled within three runs after Katie Cornman doubled and Ashleigh Blovsky singled to drive Cornman in.

Davenport would score again in the top of the sixth on a Deb Burton RBI, bringing the score to 5-3.  That's as close as the Panthers would get as ONU tacked on five runs in the bottom of the sixth sealing the 10-3 victory.  DU left a total of eight runners on base.  Sam Cole took the loss for Davenport.

The Panthers came out much more focused in their second game of the day against McKendree University.  While senior pitcher Karlee Despres kept the Bearcats from connecting at the plate, it wasn't until the fourth inning that Davenport got their offense rolling.

Cornman was the first to reach base in the fourth on a single. She eventually scored on a wild pitch by the Bearcats.  Despres would later single and score Paige Sant'Angelo to give DU a 2-0 lead.

Later in the sixth inning with two outs and two runners on base, DU took advantage of additional McKendree miscues to score four runs.  Davenport would then make quick work in the top of the seventh to complete the 6-0 victory.  Despres would sit the final batter down with her 14th strikeout of the game.

The Panthers' season record now stands at 20-12 on the season.  Tomorrow's games will be at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Post-Game Comments – Head Coach Ronda Varnesdeel

On teams overall performance: "When we are bad, we are bad and when we are good, we are good. We really need to find more consistency offensively and defensively in order for us to play two complete games."

On Despres: "Every time Karlee steps on the mound she has the ability to do special things. Today she had the support of her teammates and was able to keep McKendree off balance at the plate."

Post-Game Comments – Karlee Despres

On throwing her second no-hitter of the season: "In this game I knew we had to come back after the game one loss and that I hadn't thrown my best games lately so it was my time to step up and pick up my team. In warm-ups I felt really good and all my pitches where working especially my curveball which is usually hit or miss. I give a lot of credit to Deb as well because she called a great game behind the plate, keeping the batters of balance."

Post-Game Notes

Davenport is now 0-2 all-time against #14 Olivet Nazarene and 3-4 against teams in the NAIA Top 25 this season...Karlee Despres threw her second no-hitter of the season and sixth of her career with a season high 14 strikeouts...This is the fourth time this season Despres had thrown double-digits in the K's column...Debra Burton was 3-6 on the day with three RBI's

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