Weekly Notes

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the first time in over a month, the Davenport baseball team will not only cross over the city limits but leave the state of Michigan to play five games. The Panthers, who have won eight of their last 10 games, travel to Indiana to play a single 9-inning game at NCAA Division III Trine Wednesday at 4 p.m. before heading to Lima for a four-game Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference set with Northwestern Ohio Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
at Trine
Series: Single, 9-Inning Game
Date: April 8
First Pitch: 4 p.m.
Location: Angola, Ind. (Jannen Field)
Internet Coverage: None
Announcers: None
Twitter: @DUAthletics | @DU_BSBALL
Facebook: DUAthletics | DU Baseball
 
at Northwestern Ohio
Series: Two 9/7 inning doubleheaders
Dates: April 12-13
First Pitches: 1 p.m. (Both Games)
Location: Lima, Ohio (Racer Baseball Field)
Internet Coverage: None
Announcers: None
Twitter: @DUAthletics | @DU_BSBALL
Facebook: DUAthletics | DU Baseball
 
Time to Leave Home
This week's contests mark the first time since the spring break trip in Florida over a month ago the Panthers will not only leave the Farmers Athletic Complex but Grand Rapids. Davenport went 16-5 in Grand Rapids including a loss to crosstown rival Cornerstone on the road. Despite battling the poor weather in the area during March, the Panthers offense didn't seem to be bothered by it as they combined for a .342 batting average with 31 doubles, two triples and a pair of inside-the-park home run by Derek Dennis. The Panthers also drove in 129 runs and stole 36 bases on 47 attempts. The Panther arms carried a 2.65 ERA during the stretch, holding opponents to a .247 batting average and striking out 105.
 
Recaping the Last Week
Davenport posted an impressive 5-1 record last week, all at home and in WHAC play. The Panthers split with crosstown rival Aquinas last Wednesday while grabbing the brooms and sweeping a four-game set with reigning WHAC Tournament champions Indiana Tech over the weekend. The Panthers put together a slugfest on the slugfest on the week, tallying 75 hits and stretching 13 doubles. While the offense produced 48 runs, the pitching staff held opponents to 21 with 17 of them earned.
 
Tidey Near Century Mark
Third-year Davenport head coach Kevin Tidey is five wins away from reaching career No. 100. Tidey is 95-44 (.683) in three years at the helm.
 
A Quick Look at the Thunder
Trine, an NCAA Division III school, is on a six-game losing skid with all of them in MIAA play. Most recently the Thunder are coming off losing four to Alma last weekend. Producing runs has been an issue for the Thunder it has only tallied 67. Second baseman Ethan Prebynski has been leading the way for the Thunder at the plate, hitting .319 with nine RBI.
 
The Last Time vs. Trine
It has been a couple of years since the Panthers and Trine met, back in Davenport's inaugural season on the baseball diamond. The visiting Panthers struck early with three runs in the first two frames and added an insurance in in the fifth to secure a 4-2 victory. Jarrett Luyk pitched the minimum five innings to earn the win, striking out four and allowing six hits and a walk.
 
A Quick Look at Northwestern Ohio
The Racers are likely the hottest team in the WHAC right now, having won 10 of their last 12 contests. Despite taking 3-of-4 from Madonna, the Crusaders did salvage the final game 6-2 to snap UNOH's seven-game win streak. The Racers are led by senior utility man Ben Schubert, who is batting .416 with 17 doubles. Brandon Collins has been UNOH's RBI guy with 29, Jose Cruz is batting .333 but has a pair of homers, 16 RBI and 15 stolen bags.
 
The Last Time vs. Northwestern Ohio
The Panthers and Racers met five times last year, all at the Farmers Athletic Complex. Both teams split the four-game meeting in the regular season while Davenport held on and escaped with a 5-4 victory in elimination play at the WHAC Tournament. Despite going 2-for-11 in the series with the Racers, EJ Grochowalski's two hits stretched for a double and a home run. Corey Sessions dominated the Racers in his outing in a 1-0 win, throwing eight shutout innings with four strikeouts and allowing two hits and walks each.
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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