GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  The Davenport softball team prepares for its final stretch of the regular season with three doubleheaders on deck this week. 

It is an important week for the Panthers, who currently sit at No. 5 in the GLIAC standings, as they need to remain inside the top six to make the postseason conference tournament.

Record Watch:
Second baseman Gabby Palazzolo is two hits away from becoming the program's all-time career hits leader. Amber Getty (2011-14) currently holds the top spot with 226 hits in her time with Davenport.

The senior has already made her mark on the record books, holding the most stolen bases (65) and assists (373) in school history, as well as the highest stolen base percentage (.956). Palazzolo also set the single-game home run record (3) in a 5-3 win over Findlay earlier this year, all of which were inside the park.

Scouting the Opponents:
Wayne State (16-26, 5-15 GLIAC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 11-9
Last Meeting: 4/8/23 - Davenport defeated Wayne State 11-1 in Detroit, Mich.
About the Warriors:
Wayne State is currently one spot behind Davenport in the GLIAC standings at No. 6, four games back of DU. WSU had one of its biggest wins of the season last week with a 6-3 victory over Saginaw Valley State, who is No. 2 in the conference with their only in-conference losses prior to the contest coming against Purdue Northwest and nationally-ranked Grand Valley State. 

The Warriors return one of three All-GLIAC performers from the 2022 season, Mady Ruczynski. The sophomore is batting .266 (34-for-128) with seven doubles, a home run, and 23 RBIs. Becky Hodder leads the squad offensively this season, batting .397 (48-for-121), with 18 doubles, four home runs, and 28 RBIs. The senior has won GLIAC Player of the Week honors twice this season (weeks five and seven). 

WSU has used a trio of pitchers split time in the circle this season; Sasha Buckberger, Hayden Batton, and Alexis Bonk. Buckberger leads the team in innings pitched (105.2) and strikeouts (65) on the season while garnering GLIAC Player of the Week honors in week five. Batton has a team-high ERA (3.49), while Bonk leads the way in wins (6).

It will be the second time this season the two squads matchup, splitting the doubleheader in Detroit, Mich. on April 8 (L, 9-8; W, 11-1). 

Parkside (13-27, 4-14 GLIAC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 12-3
Last Meeting: 3/26/23 - Davenport defeated Parkside 6-2 at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
About the Rangers:
Haley Remington leads the Parkside offense, batting a team-high .324 (24-for-74) with 11 runs, four doubles, two triples, one home run, and eight RBI. The sophomore is the only Ranger to earn GLIAC Player of the Week honors this season (week 8), playing and starting in 26 games. Cassie Rutledge has started all 40 games for UWP, batting .318 (34-for-107) to go along with nine doubles, a triple, and four home runs. 

Kiley Akey is the ace in the circle for the Rangers, posting a team-high eight wins with 41 strikeouts out the year.

The Panthers swept (10-8, 6-2) the Rangers earlier this season (March 26) at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.

Purdue Northwest (28-18, 11-7 GLIAC)
Series Record: Davenport leads 10-7
Last Meeting: 3/27/23 - Purdue Northwest defeated Davenport 6-2 at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
About the Pride:
Purdue Northwest has become a top team in the conference, after finishing fifth a season ago, they currently sit at third in the GLIAC. The Pride ended last week with a sweep (12-4, 5-1) over Ferris State on Sunday, April 23.

Senior Selena Michko has been a top player in the GLIAC, starting in 45 games, batting a team-best .400 (52-for-130), with 30 runs, nine doubles, and eight home runs. Michko earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors in week four, as she finished the week with a .727 batting average, a .714 on-base percentage, and a 1.364 slugging percentage.

PNW has a plethora of weapons in the circle, as they have four pitchers with at least six wins on the season. Gabby Paliska holds a 7-5 record on the year, recording two shutouts, and a team-high 52 strikeouts to go along with a 2.71 ERA. The junior earned honorable mention All-GLIAC honors a season ago. 

The Panthers were swept (7-0, 6-2) by the Pride earlier this season (March 27) at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.

Live Coverage: 
Wednesday, April 26 vs Wayne State (3 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Friday, April 28 at Parkside (2 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, April 29 at Purdue Northwest (1 PM) - Live Video - Live Stats