MIDLAND, Mich. – The Panthers had little time to recover from their doubleheader on Tuesday against Wayne State, as they traveled to Midland to face Northwood. Davenport had a similar outcome today compared to the two games yesterday. In game one, Davenport earned a 4-2 victory, but were unable to complete the sweep as they lost 7-6 in game two. The Panthers recorded three home runs on the day, all in game two. The split puts Davenport at 6-4 in conference play so far this season.
 
Game 1-Wednesday, April 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-4 | Northwood-2
Location: Midland, Mich.
Records: DU (14-12, 6-3) | NU (18-14-1, 8-5)
 
Inside The Box
Gabby Palazzolo (1-4, R)
Kennedy Crawford (2-3, R, SB, HBP)
Alexa Flores (1-4, R, SB)
Abby Merice (2-4, 2 RBI)
Rachel Griffin (1-4, RBI)
Mallory Teunissen (W, 7-4) 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO

Davenport set the tone early in game one, scoring two runs in the top of the first. The Panthers got through six batters in the inning and recorded a pair of hits. Merice grounded out, with runners on second and third, scoring Palazzolo on the play for an RBI. The next batter was Griffin, who singled to first base and scored Flores from third. Teunissen was working the Timberwolves batters all game, she only gave up a single run in the second and third, but shut out Northwood during the final four innings. The game was tied 2-2 heading into the sixth inning and pinch runner Jorden Urban took advantage of a passed ball and then a throwing error by the catch to touch home plate for the eventual game-winning run. Davenport added a security run in the top of the seventh when Merice singled to center field and Crawford scored, putting DU up two runs. Teunissen helped DU hang onto the lead by striking out three batters over the final two innings.
 
Game 1-Wednesday, April 3 at 5:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-6 | Northwood-7
Location: Midland, Mich.
Records: DU (14-13, 6-4) | NU (19-14-1, 9-5)
 
Inside The Box
Palazzolo (2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR)
Crawford (1-4, RBI)
Merice (1-4, R, RBI, HR)
Lauren French (2-3, R, SB)
Griffin (3-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR)
Alexis Koza (1-3, RBI)
Ellie Muilenburg (L, 5-5) 5.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, SO
Emma Miller 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
 
Game two came down to the final couple innings, but tilted in favor of the Timberwolves. Muilenburg got the start for DU and started off solid, giving up no runs in the opening two innings. The Panthers offense rewarded Muilenburg by scoring the first run of the game in the top of the third, a single by Koza scored Griffin. Northwood responded with a couple of runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a lead, their first lead in over nine innings of play against the Panthers on the day. Davenport had a quick answer of their own, driving home two runs in the top of the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. A solo homer by Merice and an RBI single to Griffin accounted for the two runs. Muilenburg shut out Northwood in the bottom of the inning and DU led 3-2 after four complete innings of play. Davenport increased their lead with an RBI single by Crawford that score Palazzolo. Again, Northwood had an answer and tied the game at four each with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. The action hype continued to build in the game as DU scored twice in the top of the sixth, both runs coming from solo home runs by Griffin and Palazzolo. The Timberwolves drove home three in the bottom of the sixth, taking a one-run lead heading into the top of the seventh and putting pressure on the DU offense. Davenport wasn't able to get on base in the top of the seventh and the game was over.
 
Up Next
The Panthers get a few days off to look back at the four conference games they just played and build upon those with four more games upcoming this weekend. Davenport will host Saginaw Valley State on Saturday and then Ashland on Sunday.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Paul Penders