WINTER PARK, Fla. - It was a tough day for the Davenport baseball team as they lost 2-1 in both games of a doubleheader against Malone. The Panthers were averaging just over 10 runs per game entering the day, but Malone pitching silenced their bats. Davenport is now 6-3 overall while Malone improved to 4-2.
Game 1
Evan Marquardt of Davenport and Eric Mullet of Malone dueled for seven innings and Marquardt finally cracked in the bottom of the seventh. Davenport scored in the top of the second due to a little fortune.
Alex Huard struck out to start the inning but the third strike was a wild pitch and he reached base. Huard stole second with one out and
Kamrin Markwardt singled to center allowing the run to score. Malone only mustered three hits in the first six innings and left just four runners on base.
Malone's first two hitters in the seventh singled to get things going. Cade Mottice laid down a bunt to move both runners over but reached himself as the throw to third was not in time to get the lead runner. Tyson Gingerich had a sacrifice fly to tie the game and runners were now on first and third. Zach Mottice in the nine-hole was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Jacob Mottice fouled out to third base and Marquardt needed just one more out to get out of the jam. Josh Haygood drew a walk which allowed the winning run to trot home.
There were no extra base hits in the game. Marquardt allowed five hits and two runs with three walks and nine strikeouts. Mullet allowed just three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Game 2
Malone took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning and manufactured the runs with small ball. Clay Wisner singled up the middle with one out and Gingerich doubled to left center. Bryan Yoder then laid down a great sacrifice bunt and both runs scored on the play.
Davenport scored their run in the top of the fifth as
Travis Harvey singled to right and
Hunter Ruhstorfer walked.
Gaetano Vallone grounded into a double play as Harvey moved to third.
Cobe Huizenga two batters later hit a double but was thrown out trying for a triple.
The Panthers left two on base in the sixth and Ruhstorfer singled to start the seventh. Vallone tried to bunt him over but Ruhstorfer was forced out at second. Vallone stole second with two outs and Huizenga ended the game with a lineout to second.
Taylor Turner took the loss for Davenport despite going six innings and allowing three hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Clyde Yoder got the start and went five innings to get the win. Clay Cooper tossed the final two innings and picked up his first save of the season.
