SMYRNA, Tenn. - The Davenport University softball team continued play at the Music City Invitational, picking up a win over Findlay before falling to No. 14 Indianapolis Saturday afternoon at Cedar Stone Park.

Game 1 vs. Findlay
Result: W, 5-2
How it Happened:
Gabby Palazzolo had a monster offensive performance to lead the Panthers (2-1, 0-0 GLIAC) past the Oilers (2-2, 0-0 G-MAC). The senior second baseman broke the school record for home runs hit in a game with three, all of which were inside-the-park. She finished the game batting a perfect 4-for-4 and adding three RBIs in the victory.

With the bases loaded in the top of the first inning, Lindsay Goodman was walked and the Panthers took the early one-point advantage. On the ensuing at-bat, Kaycee Loehr was walked to score another run for Davenport and propel the early lead to 2-0.

Palazzolo kept things going in the second inning to grow the advantage to 3-0, drilling a ball to left-center field and rounding the bases home for her first inside-the-park home run of the day.

In the top of the fourth, Palazzolo struck again for DU, hitting her second inside-the-park home run to right-center field.

Holding a 4-0 lead following the top of the sixth inning, Findlay brought home three runners to trim the Davenport lead to one with a single inning remaining. 

With one inning remaining, Palazzolo hit her third and final inside-the-park home run to seal the game and brought the Panther lead to 5-3 after the top of the seventh inning.

Caroline Turner stepped up to the plate for the Oilers (1-2, 0-0 G-MAC) staring at a two-point deficit with the bases loaded and two outs. Turner made contact with the ball, but Palazzolo fielded it and threw her out at first base to end the game.

In the circle, Kelsey Byers earned the win, pitching six innings, tossing six strikeouts, and only walking one batter

Game 2 vs. #14 Indianapolis
Result: L, 8-1
How it Happened:
It was a slow start offensively as the Greyhounds (7-1, 0-0 GLVC) held a slim 2-0 advantage as the third inning came to a close. Indianapolis was able to grow its lead to six after a strong performance in the top of the fourth inning.

Riley Hasseld responded in the bottom of the inning as she scored the only run for the Panthers in the contest to trim the deficit to 6-1.

The Greyhounds recorded a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to close out the game. 

Elise Magnus pitched the final four innings for DU, only allowing two runs while in the circle and striking out two batters. 

Up Next
The Panthers will play their fourth and final game of the Music City Invitational Sunday at 10 a.m. EST against Tiffin at Cedar Stone Park in Smyrna, Tenn.