ASHLAND, Ohio – The weather finally cooperated as Davenport and Ashland kicked off their GLIAC series with a single game on Monday (Apr. 1) at Donges Field. The playing surface was definitely soft but played in temps hovering around 40 with sunshine. The Eagles, ranked No. 17 in Division II, scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to overcome a 3-0 deficit. The Panthers had 10 hits but could only score their three runs in the top of the fourth.
How it Happened: Devin Peters and
Max Swan were dueling on the mound through three innings in a scoreless game. The Panthers got on the board in the top of the fourth.
Travis Harvey walked with one out and
Jimmy Filipski rocketed a liner off the foot of Peters on the mound. Peters walked off the liner and took the rubber again.
Hunter Ruhstorfer hit an infield fly about 15 feet in front of home plate. The ball hit the ground and both runners moved to second and third with two outs. Freshman
Gaetano Vallone had a huge two-run single into left field for a 2-0 lead.
Jacob Buchberger followed with a single as Vallone moved to third. Buchberger stole second and then Vallone broke for home. The throw was high as Vallone scored and Buchberger took third on the wild throw.
Ashland got back-to-back singles to start their fifth inning. After a fielder's choice, runners were on first and third as
James Rogers took over for Swan. Swan went 4.1 innings and did very well with no walks and a strikeout. Rogers hit the first batter he faced to load the bases. Sam Hawley hit a foul ball to first and was retired but the ball traveled far enough to move each runner up a base and make it 3-1. Matt Littrell was up with two strikes and two outs and then lifted a towering home run to right field for a 4-3 lead.
Davenport up their leadoff batter on base in the seventh and eighth but could not score. The best chance was in the eighth.
Noah Marcoux singled to left and
Kamrin Markwardt walked. Harvey then grounded into a double play as Marcoux moved to third. Chris Slavik came in to pitch and faced
Darren Rydzewski who struck out to end the chance.
Game Notes: Buchberger,
Nolan Bryant and Filipski each had two hits for the Panthers. Littrell finished 3-for-4 for the Eagles. Rogers took the loss (3-1) finishing the final 3.2 innings but walked three with no strikeouts. Peters went six innings for the Eagles to get the win (4-0) and struck out six.
On Deck: Davenport (13-8, 1-4 GLIAC) will take the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader with Ashland (20-3, 5-0 GLIAC) who have won 11 straight. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m.
