CALEDONIA, Mich. – Davenport has had the same narrative for their last three doubleheaders, win the first game and then fall in the second game. The Panthers are just a couple plays away from earning sweeps in these doubleheaders, but sit at 7-5 in conference play after the two games against Saginaw Valley today.
Mallory Teunissen had a solid showing in game one, giving her team a great chance to win the game. The Panthers offense came through with three runs while Teunissen shut the Cardinals out. Game two went to Saginaw Valley by a score of 8-5.
Game 1-Saturday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-3 | Saginaw Valley-0
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: DU (15-13, 7-4) | SVSU (11-12, 4-7)
Inside The Box
Gabby Palazzolo (2-3, 2 R, 2B, HBP)
Alexa Flores (0-2, R, BB, HBP)
Abby Merice (1-3, RBI, BB)
Rachel Griffin (1-3, RBI, BB)
Mariah Cura (1-2, RBI, HBP)
Teunissen (W, 8-4) 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 12 SO
The Panthers got on the board quick, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. With the bases loaded, Griffin stepped to the plate and earned a walk, sending Palazzolo home and giving Griffin an RBI. Shortly after, with the bases still loaded, Cura was struck with a pitch, sending Flores home for third to give Davenport a 2-0 lead. Innings two through five were scoreless for both teams. The Panthers added a security run in the bottom of the sixth when Merice singled up the middle, scoring Palazzolo for her second run of the game. Teunissen and the Panther defense didn't break throughout the entire game, giving up only five hits and no runs.
Game 2-Saturday, April 6 at 3:00 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-5 | Saginaw Valley-8
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: DU (15-14, 7-5) | SVSU (12-12, 5-7)
Inside The Box
Flores (1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR)
Merice (2-4, 2 R)
Griffin (3-4, R, 2B)
Cura (2-3, 3 RBI, 2B, SF)
Alexis Koza (2-4, 2B)
Ellie Muilenburg (L, 5-6) 1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO
Emma Miller 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
Taylor Simon 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
Game two had a much different story, with the Cardinals having control of the game through ought instead of Davenport. Saginaw Valley scored a run in the first and then went off for seven in the second to take an early 8-0 lead. Davenport went scoreless up until the fifth inning, The Panthers rattled off three straight, two runs from a Flores homer and another from a Cura sac fly. Davenport continued their comeback attempt with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but two wasn't enough as the Cardinals came away with the win.
Up Next
Davenport doesn't have much time to think about this doubleheader as they Ashland tomorrow (Sunday, April 7) for a pair of conference games.
Story by:
Devin Steiner
Picture credit: Chris duMond