ALLENDALE, Mich. – Davenport faced their toughest opponent so far this season and faired well against a nationally ranked team. The Panthers traveled to Allendale to take on the Lakers of Grand Valley State, who came into the doubleheader ranked 15^th in the country and a perfect 10-0 in conference play. Davenport lost by only one run in the first game and only two runs in the second game. It was a pitchers duel in the first game of the DH. The two starting pitchers combined for 23 strikeouts and only seven hits. The Panthers had chances to tie or bring themselves within one run down the stretch in both games, but couldn't convert their offensive opportunities.
 
Game 1-Monday, April 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-0 | Grand Valley State University-1
Location: Allendale, Mich.
Records: DU (21-13, 6-7) | GVSU (24-5, 11-0)

Inside The Box
Rachel Griffin (1-3, 2B)
Lauren French (1-1, BB, SB, HBP)
McKenzie Rowe (1-3)
Mallory Teunissen (L, 14-5) 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 12 SO
 
Game one was a pure defensive battle, especially between the starting pitchers for both teams. Allison Lipovsky and Teunissen are arguably the two best pitchers in the entire GLIAC, and they put on a show for the fans in attendance. Lipovsky struck out 11 batters and walked one, while Teunissen struck out 12 and walked none. The third inning was a momentum changer in the game. Davenport had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the third, then the next three batters struck out, popped out, and grounded out. After getting three straight outs with the bases loaded the Lakers carried that momentum to when they batted in the third. Their first batter singled, then two batters later they doubled down the left field line and the runner on first advanced home. This was the eventual game-winning run, as no other runs were scored in the game. Davenport had a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth as well. Griffin doubled to right field with two outs, then the next batter struck out for the Panthers.
 
Game 2-Monday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-5 | Grand Valley State University-7
Location: Allendale, Mich.
Records: DU (21-14, 6-8) | GVSU (25-5, 12-0)

Inside The Box
Alexis Koza (1-4, R, RBI)
Alexa Flores (1-4, R, RBI)
Griffin (1-4, R, 2B)
Briana Allen (1-4, RBI)
Madison Jewell (1-4, RBI, SB)
Selene Pauley (1-3, RBI, BB, 2B)
Teunissen (L, 14-6) 2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
Ellie Muilenburg 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
 
The second game of the doubleheader was a completely different story, as the two teams combined for 12 runs. Grand Valley opened the game scoring seven runs from innings one through four, and Davenport scored five runs from innings five through seven. The Panthers found themselves in a deep hole after four complete innings. The Lakers held a seven run advantage heading into inning number five. Davenport proceeded to rally off five unanswered runs over the last three innings to make it a close game. In the top of the fifth DU loaded the bases quickly with a walk, a single, and then a reach on an error. Flores was the first Panther to the plate with the bases loaded in the inning, she reached on an error by third base and Rowe scored from third. Two batters later, with the bases loaded again, Allen singled through the left side, scoring Koza from third. The third run of the inning came when Jewell reached on an error by right field and Flores scored to cut the Lakers down to four. Davenport scored one more run in the sixth when Koza reached on an error by second base and Jorden Urban scored from third. The Panthers needed three runs in the final inning to tie up the game, but could only get one. Griffin opened the inning with a double to right field, after two batters got out for DU Pauley doubled to right field and Griffin scored. With a runner on second, down two runs, and two outs in the inning, the next batter grounded out to end the game.
 
Up Next
The Panthers play another road doubleheader on Wednesday, April 11. Davenport travels to Big Rapids, Mich. to take on Ferris State University. The two teams split their DH back in late March 1-1.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Andy Visockis