Site: Fort Wayne, Ind. (Warrior Baseball Field)
Final Score: Davenport 3, Indiana Tech 2
WP: Cheshire (4-0), LP: Wise (6-1), Save: None
Records: DU (41-15), IT (33-23-1)
Next DU event: Monday, May 12 – vs. TBA – NAIA Opening Round (Location TBA)
 
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Zac Wilson and Ryan Manning's first hits in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament came at the right time as a leadoff single from Wilson followed by an walk-off double from Manning broke a tie ball game and lifted the Davenport baseball team to a 3-2 victory over Indiana Tech to clinch the program's first league tournament championship Wednesday evening.
 
With the WHAC Tournament trophy, the Panthers receive an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. Pairings are to be announced Friday at 8 p.m. EDT through the NAIA's website.
 
Although he received a no decision, Corey Sessions took the Panthers (41-15) into the ninth inning allowing the two runs on seven hits. In addition, he struck out six and didn't allow any free passes. He surrendered the first run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
 
The Panthers offense meanwhile had trouble figuring out WHAC Player of the Year Justin Kalusa, who kept Davenport hitless until the seventh inning when Zack Sardellitti doubled to right center. Courtesy runner Connor Seymour moved to third on Wilson's bunt and scored the tying run on Cam Cooper's fly ball to center.
 
Indiana Tech (33-23-1), which committed two critical errors in the Panthers 5-2 win 24 hours ago, made another defensive miscue that enabled the Panthers to take a 2-1 lead in the eighth. Right-hander EJ Grochowalski hit an opposite two-out double and scored when Jordan Zylstra's groundball to third slipped underneath the third baseman.
 
Sessions couldn't quite hold on to the lead as a leadoff solo shot to the deepest part of the yard in center field allowed the Warriors to keep their tournament championship hopes alive. Jonathan Cheshire (4-0) relieved the sophomore and retired the side in order.
 
Wilson opened the Panthers half of the ninth with a single up the middle and Manning hit a line drive to center to allow the freshman to score from first.
 
Post-Game Notes
Davenport improves to 18-10 all-time against Indiana Tech…The Panthers are 7-8 in the WHAC Tournament
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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