Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Game 1 Score: Davenport 12, Cornerstone 1 (7 innings)
WP: Bender (1-1); LP: Knapp (2-3); Save: None
Game 2 Score: Davenport 5, Cornerstone 0
WP: Dahlstrom (1-0); LP: Cooper (0-3); Save: None
Next DU event: Thursday, April 17 – vs. Siena Heights – DH (Farmers Athletic Complex) – 2 p.m.
 
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport's baseball team put together a solid performance at both the plate and on the mound to sweep a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference doubleheader over crosstown rival Cornerstone Wednesday evening. Brendan Bender surrendered one run in five innings while producing two of the 14 Panther hits recorded to mercy Cornerstone 12-1 in seven innings while in the nightcap Blake Dahlstrom went the distance for the first time this season to shut out the Golden Eagles 5-0.
 
With the pair of wins, Davenport (29-14, 16-5 WHAC) takes the seasons series 2-1 over its rivals from down the Beltline. The Panthers return to the Farmers Athletic Complex Thursday to play host to Siena Heights at 2 p.m. The Saints return to Grand Rapids to complete the four-game set Saturday at 1 p.m., which will be Senior Day for the Panthers.
 
Game 1: Davenport 12, Cornerstone 1 (7 Innings)
After giving up the only run on the day in the first inning with a leadoff single, Bender (1-1) picked himself from the rough frame by knocking in leadoff hitter Cody Greear with a single to center. The left-hander went on to toss four shutout innings along with striking out two before turning it over to the bullpen.
 
Jordan Zylstra was a home run short from completing the cycle. He doubled in the third, singled in the fifth and tripled in the sixth. He also drove in at least a run in each at bat to complete a four RBI game.
 
Davenport did all the damage in the third inning. Derek Dennis reached on a one-out single and three consecutive hits by EJ Grochowalski, Zylstra and Ryan Manning drove in three runs to build a 4-1 Davenport lead. The Panthers put the game out of reach in the fifth when five runs were brought across including a bases clearing single by Manning.
 
Alex Schuiling took over for Bender in the sixth, and although he got into a very minor threat with a one-out double, he was able to escape it without allowing the run. Ryan Butzer made only eight pitches in the seventh to seal game one for the Panther.
 
Game 2: Davenport 5, Cornerstone 0
Dahlstrom (1-0) surrendered three hits and walks each during his complete-game gem. He also punched out four batters. His only serious threat came in the second inning when the Golden Eagles (14-18, 3-12 WHAC) got a runner on third with one out but the Panthers defense backed him to end the inning.
 
The eventual winning run came in the second inning with the benefit of a Cornerstone error. Eric Cummings reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, advanced to second on a Cam Cooper walk and scored on Nolan Wilson's single to right center.
 
Cornerstone starting pitcher Jon Knapp loaded the bases in the third inning hitting Bender and walking Dennis and Zylstra to allow Manning to clear the bases with a single to right field.
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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