SANDUSKY, Ohio – The Panthers got off to the exact start that they want during day one of the 2019 GLIAC Tournament. Davenport won both their games today and are one of two remaining undefeated teams. In game one, DU defeated Purdue Northwest 4-1 and then beat Wayne State 3-2 in game two. Davenport will face Grand Valley State tomorrow, as they are the only two teams that didn't lose during day one.
Game 1-Friday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m. ET (Winner's Bracket)
Final Score: Davenport University-4 | Purdue Northwest-1
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Records: DU (31-19) | PNW (23-24)
Inside The Box
Abby Merice (0-2, R, HBP)
Rachel Griffin (1-2, RBI, BB)
Mariah Cura (1-3, R)
Alexa Flores (2-3, R, 3 RBI, 2B)
Alexis Koza (1-3, RBI)
Mallory Teunissen (W, 17-7) 7 IP H, R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 8 SO
The Panthers offense exploded in the third inning, which proved to be the turning point in the game. Neither team scored in the opening two innings, then in the third inning Davenport took a 4-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Flores doubled to left center and drove in Cura, Griffin, and Merice. Later in the inning Koza singled up the middle and Flores came in to score. Teunissen was wheeling and dealing on the mound. She only gave up one hit in the game and struck out eight batters en route to her 17
th win this season.
Game 2-Friday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. ET (Winner's Bracket)
Final Score: Davenport University-3 | Wayne State-2
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Records: DU (32-19) | WSU (33-22)
Inside The Box
Lauren French (1-3, R, 2 SB, HBP)
Merice (2-4)
Griffin (1-3, RBI)
Cura (2-3, R)
Koza (1-3, 2 RBI)
Taylor Simon (W, 7-3) 7 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
The Warriors got an early jump on Davenport. Wayne State scored a pair of runs in the top of the first, taking a 2-0 lead. Davenport responded with a single run in the bottom half of the inning. Griffin singled to second and French scored. Simon, after the slow start, held the Warriors at bay throughout the game. She didn't give up a run in innings two through seven. Davenport took the lead in the third inning. Koza, with runners on second and third, drilled a single to center field and scored both runs. The two runs proved to be the game-tying and game-winning runs.
Up Next
The Panthers will face Grand Valley State at 12:30 pm during day two of the tournament. The winner of the game will automatically advance to championship Sunday.
Story by:
Devin Steiner
Picture credit: Walter Cronk