BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Zack Sardellitti had three hits and RBI each, including a two-run double in the fourth, but Davenport's 19^th-ranked baseball team had to prevent a Union rally in the seventh inning and preserve a 6-4 non-conference win over the Bulldogs and claim the three-game series.
 
Heading into the bottom half of the seventh leading 5-0, the Panthers (2-0) bullpen got shaken up by allowing four runs across. Alex Schuiling did manage to stop the bleeding despite allowing a two-run double the first batter he faced.
 
Corey Sessions (1-0) kept the Bulldogs (0-2) scoreless for five innings on the mound, but did have to hold runners a third base twice. He finished the day allowing only four hits and a walk while striking out three.
 
Jonathan Cheshire picked up the save for the second consecutive time, conceding two hits in two shutout innings of work.
 
Davenport got on the board in the fourth inning when Connor Seymour and Brendan Bender got on board with a walk and a base hit, respectively, to set up the designated hitter Sardellitti for the two-run double.
 
The eventual winning runs came in the sixth inning. The Panthers loaded the bases with one out before Sardellitti hit an RBI single and Ryan Manning won a free pass to first and force in a run. A dropped fly in the outfield allowed the Panthers to take a 5-0 lead.
 
The Panthers will go for the sweep on the Bulldogs Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Baseball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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