CALEDONIA, Mich. – Davenport enjoyed a special time of the year during their doubleheader with Ashland University. Following the conclusion of the game the Panthers honored their lone senior McKenzire Rowe. Davenport was able to give Rowe a great memory when they won the second game of the DH in walk-off fashion. Selene Pauley singled to left center and scored Kelli Nyenhuis with one out in the bottom of the seventh to give Davenport the 5-4 win.
 
Game 1-Sunday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-3 | Ashland University-4
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: DU (27-17, 12-11) | AU (18-17, 8-9)
 
Inside The Box
Lauren French (0-2, R, 2 BB)
Pauley (2-4, 2 R)
Rachel Griffin (1-3, RBI)
Mallory Teunissen (L, 18-7) 7 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
 
The Eagles came into the doubleheader with some confidence as they gave league leading Grand Valley State their first GLIAC loss of the season the day before. Davenport got on the board first when Pauley scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first. The Eagles responded with one run in the second and three more in the third inning. The Panthers made things interesting in the fifth when they scored two runs to cut the lead down to one heading into the last couple innings. Ashland maintained their composure and closed the game for the 4-3 win.
 
Game 2-Sunday, April 22 at 3:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-5 | Ashland University-4
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: DU (28-17, 13-11) | AU (18-18, 8-10)
 
Inside The Box
French (0-2, 2 R, BB, SB, HBP)
Pauley (2-3, R, RBI, SH)
Alexa Flores (2-3, RBI, 2B)
Griffin (1-3, 2 RBI, 2B)
Rowe (1-2, BB)
Ellie Muilenburg 6.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO
M. Teunissen (W, 19-8) 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, BB, SO


 
The second game followed a similar direction as the first. Davenport scored the first run of the game and then the Eagles scored four unanswered runs to go up 4-1. The Panthers scored three in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game and electrify the crowd.  Flores got things started with a double to left center that scored French. With runners at second and third Griffin doubled down the left field line to score Jorden Urban and Pauley to tie the game 4-4. Muilenburg retired two batters in the top of the seventh and then Teunissen pitched the final out to keep the game tied at four runs. In the bottom of the seventh Muilenburg led with a walk, Nyenhuis came in to pinch run for Muilenburg. Next up was Crawford, who was called out on batter's interference. Later on Nyenhuis advanced to second on a passed ball. Rowe stepped up to the plate and also walked, putting runners on first and second with only one out. Next up was French, who got hit by a pitch to load the bases for Pauley. She stepped into the batter's box and singled to left center, sending Nyenhuis home for the game-winning run.
 
Coaches Corner
"Complete team effort in game two to earn the come from behind win!", said head coach McCall Salmon. "Senior day is always special and I am happy we could end it with a win for Rowe!"
 
Up Next
Davenport has three more doubleheaders left in their regular season schedule. The Panthers host Tiffin on Wednesday and Purdue Northwest on Friday.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra