CALEDONIA, Mich. – Davenport had plenty to play for today: playing a top-10 opponent, facing the team that is currently ranked higher than them in the conference rankings, taking on a new found rival, or maybe playing for the three seniors that have given so much to this program. The Panthers checked all the boxes today as they gave Mallory Teunissen, Lauren French, and Madison Jewell a senior day that they will remember for years to come. Davenport won both games, earning their second and third wins this season against teams ranked in the top-10 nationally. In addition, this was the first time since March 24 of 2017 that the Lakers were swept in a GLIAC regular-season doubleheader. There was plenty to be happy about if you are a Davenport fan, but mostly importantly the Panthers earned two quality wins.
 
Game 1-Saturday, April 13 at 1:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-6 | Grand Valley State-5
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: DU (20-16, 12-7) | GVSU (29-6, 13-4)


 
Inside The Box
Gabby Palazzolo (1-3, 2 R, RBI, HR, SB, HBP)
French (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR, SB)
Rahcel Griffin (1-2, 2 RBI, BB)
Mariah Cura (2-3, R, RBI, HR)
Alexis Koza (1-3, R, RBI, HR)
Taylor Simon (W, 2-2) 7 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, SO
 
Davenport came out the gate proving to Grand Valley State that they meant business. The Panthers cranked out five runs in the first and second inning, taking an early 5-0 lead. Griffin started things off in the first with a single down the left field line, driving in French and Palazzolo. In the second inning, Koza, Palazzolo, and French all hit solo homers. Let me repeat that in case you skimmed over that, the Panthers hit three solo home runs in the second inning, including two back to back. Grand Valley made a couple late runs, but Davenport stayed strong and held them off. Grand Valley scored two runs in the fifth and sixth inning, cutting the Panther lead down to one run. Simon didn't shy away from the moment, she earned the complete game win by closing out the top of the seventh by not giving up a single hit. She earned her second career win.
 
Game 2-Saturday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-7 | Grand Valley State-6
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: DU (21-16, 13-7) | GVSU (29-7, 13-5)


 
Inside The Box
French (1-4, R, 3 RBI, HR)
Abby Merice (3-4, R, RBI, HR)
Griffin (2-3, R, RBI, BB)
Kennedy Crawford (2-2, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2B)
Teunissen (W, 12-5) 7 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO
 
Game two of the doubleheader gave Panther fans quite the show. Grand Valley struck first, scoring a single run in the top of the first and third, taking a 2-0 lead. Exactly like game one, Griffin drove in DU's first run, bringing home Crawford off a single. Down 2-1 and heading into the bottom of the fourth, Davenport was looking for a big inning and they got it. The Panthers scored three runs, including a solo homer by French. Teunissen shut out the Lakers in the top of the fifth and her offense rewarded her with an additional two runs to give Davenport a 6-3 lead. Grand Valley knocked in two in the sixth, but a solo home run by Merice in the bottom of the sixth proved to be a crucial run. The Lakers scored a single run in the top of the seventh, but Teunissen wouldn't allow anymore and Davenport took game two by a score of 7-6.
 
Coaches Corner
"Two great team wins today over a very good Grand Valley team. Couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate our seniors." – Head Coach McCall Salmon.
 
Up Next
Davenport was looking at a quick turn around, but snow in the forecast has pushed tomorrow's doubleheader against Ferris State to another day. The new date/time of this doubleheader has not been determined yet.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Walter Cronk