ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Panthers had their hands full today, facing the number six team in the country on the road. Davenport lost 9-4 in game one, but nearly took game two from the Lakers. The game was deadlocked at 5-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh, where GVSU hit a walk-off single to complete the sweep. Davenport is still looking for their first program win against the Lakers.
 
Game 1-Tuesday, April 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-4 | Grand Valley St.-9
Location: Allendale, Mich.
Records: DU (17-15, 9-6) | GVSU (27-4, 11-2)
 
Inside The Box
Gabby Palazzolo (2-4, R, 2 SB)
Lauren French (0-2, 2 R, BB, HBP)
Abby Merice (3-4, 2 RBI)
Rachel Griffin (1-4, RBI)
Alexa Flores (0-3, RBI, SF)
Kennedy Crawford (0-2, R, BB)
Ellie Muilenburg (L, 5-7) 1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, SO
Taylor Simon 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, SO
 
The Lakers took a 3-1 lead after the completion of inning one and quickly built up their lead. After four innings of play Grand Valley led 9-1. Davenport scored two runs in the fifth and another run in the seventh, but the four total runs scored in the game for DU wasn't enough to compete with the nine by Grand Valley. The Panthers would fall in game one.
 
Game 2-Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-5 | Grand Valley St.-6
Location: Allendale, Mich.
Records: DU (17-16, 9-7) | GVSU (28-4, 12-2)
 
Inside The Box
Palazzolo (2-4, R, 2 2B)
French (1-2, R, 2 BB)
Merice (1-4, R)
Selene Pauley (2-4, R, 3 RBI, 2 2B)
Crawford (1-3, RBI)
Mallory Teunissen (L, 10-5) 6.2 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO
 
Game two seemed to be going the same way as the first, with Grand Valley holding the lead throughout the majority of the game. Davenport went into the top of the seventh inning trailing by a score of 5-1 and needed four runs to force the bottom half of the inning. The Panthers did just that, scoring four runs in the top of the seventh. The first run came from a sac fly by Griffin to left field, Palazzolo tagged up on the play. Shortly after, with the bases loaded, Pauley doubled to right center, clearing the bases and driving in the game-tying run. Davenport needed three outs to force extra innings and a possible split against one of the top teams in the country. Grand Valley, with two outs in the inning, singled up the middle and a runner scored from third to end the game.
 
Up Next
Davenport heads back to the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex for their next four doubleheaders. The Panthers host Northwood tomorrow (Wednesday, April 10), with the first game starting at 2:30 p.m.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Chris duMond