MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Davenport baseball team tied the school record with 28 hits and beat a NCAA DI opponent for the first time since 2010 on Tuesday. The Panthers traveled to Central Michigan and won a 26-19 slugfest against the Chippewas for their first win over CMU in their third try all-time. The final non-conference game of the season saw the third-most runs in a game in Davenport history as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams scored 45 runs and collected 45 hits against 13 pitchers in an absolute offensive clinic. Davenport wasted no time getting on the board with three runs in the first and four more in the second to lead 7-0.

The Chippewas were forced to play from behind and hung in there until the final innings. DU tacked on three runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, six in the sixth, four in the seventh and finally four more in the eighth. The Chippewas scored twice in the third, four times in the fourth, three in the fifth, six in the sixth and four in the ninth.

Evan Marquardt started and went two innings allowing one hit for the win (6-1). Max Swan gave up two runs in his inning of work. Spencer Vainavicz and Evan Maize gave up two earned runs in 2/3 of an inning. Tyler Hankins got the start for CMU and lasted just one inning. He gave up seven hits and six runs to take the loss (4-3).

GAME NOTES
Davenport had eight doubles including a pair by Hunter Ruhstorfer. Travis Harvey and Dylan Watson each hit a home run. Harvey hit his as a solo shot with one out in the sixth. Watson hit his for a three-run blast with one out in the seventh. Harvey finished 3-for-6 with three runs and two RBI. Watson finished 4-for-6 with a season-high four runs and six RBI. He became just the fifth player at DU with six RBI in a game. Ruhstorfer finished 4-for-5 with a walk and three runs. Jacob Buchberger went 4-for-7 with four runs and two RBI. Nolan Bryant drove in three runs and scored twice. Alex Huard went 4-for-6 with two runs and two RBI. Kamrin Markwardt finished 4-for-6 with three runs and two RBI. 

ON DECK
Let's hope DU saved some runs for the Warriors of Wayne State University. The Panthers begin a four-game set against the second place Warriors on Friday, April 26 for a 4 p.m. first pitch at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.