BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Davenport baseball team trailed by one-run until a two-run homer by senior Cody Greear in the eighth enabled the 19^th-ranked Panthers to take a 3-2 non-conference win at Union (Ky.) on opening day for both schools Friday afternoon.
 
Ryan Manning, who came off the bench in the sixth, hit a one-out double to center and was immediately followed by Greear's blast to left field.
 
Greear, along with Zack Sardellitti and Brendan Bender, each tallied two of Davenport's nine-hit afternoon. Sardellitti also added a RBI in the fourth.
 
Reigning Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year Corey Murphy got the season started allowing an unearned run, four hits and a walk in five innings of work. He also struck out three.
 
Anthony Alarcon grabbed the win despite having to allow an unearned run in the sixth. Jonathan Cheshire took over for Alarcon in the eighth. Although he allowed his only hit in the ninth, he kept the possible tying run on second.
 
Catcher John Wilson had two of the Bulldogs' five hits. His starting batterymate Matt Hasenbeck received a no-decision despite allowing the unearned run in the fourth. He did strikeout and walked three each.
 
Nelson Price, who moved from first base to pitcher in the eighth, suffered the loss after giving up the home run to Greear.
 
The two teams meet again at Carey Stadium for game two of the three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will feature live stats and audio only.
 
Post-Game Notes
Davenport improves to 3-4 on opening day…The Panthers have won four of the last meetings with Union to improve to 4-4 in the all-time series.
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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