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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
Brooke Bernt
Walter Cronk

Softball Justice Steiner, Assistant Manager of Athletic Communications

Softball Weekly Preview: Panthers Resume Conference Play

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  The Davenport softball team resumes GLIAC action against Saginaw Valley State and Ferris State after splitting a doubleheader with Hillsdale (W, 3-2; L, 12-6) on Monday afternoon. The games marked the final out of conference contests of the regular season for the Panthers (11-20, 5-5 GLIAC).

Player Notes: 
Brooke Bernt
  • The sophomore is in the midst of the best stretch of her career as she has scored a run in four consecutive games, while registering at least one hit in five straight.
  • Recorded a career-high three hits in an 11-1 win over Wayne State (April 8) with a pair of RBIs and a run. 
  • Scored the game-winning run against Hillsdale (April 10) in the bottom of the sixth inning. 
Gabby Palazzolo
  • In Monday's doubleheader, the senior had a monstor performance, finishing the afternoon batting 6-for-7 with one double, one triple, three runs, and two RBIs through the two games.
  • Currently has 219 career hits, which ranks third all-time in program history.
  • Eight hits away from becoming the all-time career hits leader for the Panthers. 
Riley Hasseld
  • Batted .412 (7-for-17) last week in four GLIAC games to go along with six runs and an RBI.
  • The center fielder has registered two or more hits in six of the last eight games. 

Scouting the Opponents:
Saginaw Valley State (23-9, 7-3 GLIAC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 11-7
Last Meeting: 4/23/22 - Davenport defeated Saginaw Valley State 3-1 at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
About the Cardinals:
Currently at No. 2 in the GLIAC standings while being swept by Grand Valley State, who is atop the conference, in their last time out. Finished the 2022 season No.2 in the GLIAC with a 17-10 overall record and 7-3 record in conference play. 

Emily Depew is the ace in the circle for SVSU, securing a team-high eight wins on the season, pitching 92 innings with 69 strikeouts and an impressive 1.82 ERA. Earned week seven GLIAC player of the week honors after leading the Cardinals to a pair of victories, throwing 17 strikeouts through the two games and posting an ERA of 2.44. Depew earned First Team All-GLIAC honors in the 2022 season.

Sarah Gersch leads the squad in hitting with a team-high 43 hits while batting .374, adding eight doubles, four triples, and a home run on the season. SVSU also returned two other First Team All-GLIAC performers from a season ago, Sara Moos and Jackie Popko.

Ferris State (15-26, 4-7 GLIAC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 18-6
Last Meeting: 4/2/23 - Davenport defeated Ferris State 5-3 in Big Rapids, Mich.
About the Bulldogs:
FSU is one slot behind DU at No. 5 in the GLIAC standings. The Panthers swept the Bulldogs early this season, as Hayley Kreiger hit a game-winning three-run home run in the seventh inning to secure the sweep in the back half of the doubleheader.

FSU lost its top performer from a season ago, Paige Kortz, who was a First Team All-GLIAC selection. The Bulldogs return a pair of Honorable Mention All-GLIAC performers from the 2021-22 season, Evelyn Blood and Kylie Winkels. Winkels is now the Bulldogs top offensive threat in her senior campaign, leading the squad in hits (30), runs (21), doubles (11), home runs (3), and RBIs (26).

Aryn Gallacher is the ace in the circle for the Bulldogs, notching a team-high seven wins on the season. The junior has tossed 46 strikeouts through 105 innings pitched, while posting a 3.20 ERA. 

Live Coverage: 
Wednesday, April 12 at Saginaw Valley State (2 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, April 15 vs Ferris State (1 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

 
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Players Mentioned

Brooke Bernt

#11 Brooke Bernt

OF
5' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
Riley Hasseld

#5 Riley Hasseld

OF
5' 7"
Sophomore
L/R
Gabby Palazzolo

#1 Gabby Palazzolo

IF
5' 5"
Senior
L/R
Hayley Kreiger

#13 Hayley Kreiger

IF
6' 1"
Graduate Student
R/R

Players Mentioned

Brooke Bernt

#11 Brooke Bernt

5' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
OF
Riley Hasseld

#5 Riley Hasseld

5' 7"
Sophomore
L/R
OF
Gabby Palazzolo

#1 Gabby Palazzolo

5' 5"
Senior
L/R
IF
Hayley Kreiger

#13 Hayley Kreiger

6' 1"
Graduate Student
R/R
IF