Weekly Notes | The DAN
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Coming off having split a four-game road set at Northwestern Ohio last weekend, the Davenport baseball team returns to the Farmers Athletic Complex to begin its final homestand of the regular-season this week. The Panthers busy week begins with hosting crosstown rival Cornerstone Wednesday at 4 p.m. The Panthers will then welcome Siena Heights 24 hours later, and after a day off Friday, the Saints return to Grand Rapids to complete the series Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
vs. Cornerstone
Series: 9/7 inning doubleheader
Date: April 16
First Pitch: 4 p.m.
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Stats (The DAN)
Twitter: @DUAthletics | @DU_BSBALL
Facebook: DUAthletics | DU Baseball
 
vs. Siena Heights
Series: Two 9/7 inning doubleheaders
Dates: April 17/April 19
First Pitches: 2 p.m. (April 17)/1 p.m. (April 19)
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Internet Coverage: Live Audio/Stats (April 17); Live Video/Stats (April 19)
Twitter: @DUAthletics | @DU_BSBALL
Facebook: DUAthletics | DU Baseball
 
Panthers Welcome West Michigan Miracle League to Farmers Athletic Complex Saturday
Davenport is proud to announce that it will be welcoming members of the West Michigan Miracle League to the Farmers Athletic Complex to raise funds Saturday when they take on Siena Heights in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference doubleheader. A pregame tailgate will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. at DU's Tennis Courts next door to the ballpark. In addition to free food, activities include face painting and bead bracelet craft and pictures with Pounce. For a dollar, fans can spin a wheel for a prize or test your pitch speed. Raffle is also part of the festivities and prizes include tickets to a Detroit Tigers game, an autographed Davenport baseball jersey and a DU gift basket. All proceeds go to benefit the West Michigan Miracle League, which is a non-profit organization for children with physical and mental disabilities.
 
Recapping the Last Week
Davenport crossed the city limits and left the state of Michigan for the first time since its spring break trip in Florida Feb. 23-March 2. The Panthers briefly stepped out of WHAC play and blew out Trine 19-3 Wednesday before splitting a four-game league series at second-place Northwestern Ohio last weekend. EJ Grochowalski carried the hottest bat on the week, going 9-for-18 with four doubles, his first home run of the season and six RBI. Although he surrendered three runs, Corey Muphy went the distance to help the Panthers take game four 4-3 and settle with a split in the set.
 
A Quick Look at Cornerstone
The Golden Eagles have been struggling during their second season as a program. Cornerstone had a much needed weekend off after losing eight of its last nine contests including a doubleheader sweep at crosstown rival Aquinas 1-7, 4-6 last Wednesday. The Golden Eagles appeared to have relied on their offense as the ballclub is averaging .277 at the plate while pitchers are posting a 4.33 ERA. Travis Gordon has been Cornerstone's offensive leader, hitting .337, slugging for .458 and carrying a .477 on-base percentage.
 
The Last Time vs. Cornerstone
Corey Murphy went the distance for the first time in his career, but a walk-off single with the bases loaded was the difference as Cornerstone's baseball team escaped with a 3-2 victory over Davenport at DeWitt Stadium in their last meeting on a cold March 26. Due to the cold temperatures, both teams agreed to play just a single 9-inning game instead of the traditional doubleheader. The Panthers were one out away from forcing extra innings but the Golden Eagles loaded the bases with a single and a fielding error. After an intentional walk set up a play at any base, Dillon Reust found an open gap into left field to walk away with the win.
 
A Quick Look at the Siena Heights
The Saints, under the leadership of coaching veteran John Kolasinski, are coming off having salvaged game four of the series against host Indiana Tech last weekend. Kolasinski has used 35 different position players on the season but Dan Muller has been the Saints RBI man. Along with the .408 batting average, the left-handed hitting outfielder has racked up 10 doubles, three triples, and four home runs and has driven in 20 runs.
 
The Last Time vs. Siena Heights
Like this year, Mother Nature played games with schools in the northern states and Siena Heights and Davenport only got one doubleheader in their season series last year. Cam Cooper had three hits and scored three times as he guided the Davenport baseball to an 8-4 game one victory over Siena Heights, but the Saints used a two-run double as well as an RBI single to salvage a 3-0 game two win to split the doubleheader.
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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