Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Walter Cronk

Softball 4/5/2024 12:00:00 PM Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: DU Continues Conference Play with Pair of Doubleheaders

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Coming off a sweep over Ferris State in their GLIAC opener, the Davenport University softball team will continue conference play this weekend with two doubleheaders.

The Panthers (10-14, 2-0 GLIAC) will travel to Allendale, Mich. to take on crosstown rival No. 9 Grand Valley State at 1 p.m., then return home to take on Wayne State at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.

As a team, Davenport is leading the GLIAC in batting percentage at .303 (203-for-669). The squad also ranks second in the conference in fielding percentage (.971) and triples per game (.33).

Continuing her impressive junior campaign for DU, Becca Daoust ranks fourth in the conference in batting average at .405 (32-for-79). Daoust also leads the squad in stolen bases (nine) and ranks second in runs (18).

Hayley Kreiger and Savanna Disbrow have been two of the best in the conference at bringing runners home this season. Ranking third in the conference in RBIs per game is Kreiger (.96), while Disbrow is one spot behind in fourth (.92).

In the circle, Hailey Whisman has recorded a team-high five wins in 2024. The freshman has delivered 32 strikeouts in 61.2 innings pitched.

Scouting the Opponents
#9 Grand Valley State (20-7, 3-1 GLIAC)
Series Record: GVSU leads 22-2
Last Meeting: 5/5/23 - GVSU defeated DU 7-3 in Rosemont, Ill.
About the Lakers

Finished their 2023 campaign 48-8 with a 20-1 record in GLIAC action, finishing as the regular season conference champions. GVSU advanced to the National Championship series but fell to North Georgia, 7-3, 3-0 to end their season.
The top returner for the Lakers is Morgan Spicer, who was a First Team All-GLIAC performer last season.
GVSU also returns Eliana Eiland, Kelsey Komorous, Ashley Platek, Hannah Hollister and Megan Koenigshof, all of whom received All-GLIAC recognition in 2023.
So far through 2024, Hollister has emerged as the top offensive threat for Grand Valley State batting .405, ranking fifth in the conference. She also leads the GLIAC in stolen bases with 25.
The Laker defense is one of the best in the nation, ranking 13th in earned run average (1.68) and 22nd in fielding percentage (.973).
Genesis Eggart is the ace in the circle for the Lakers, posting an 8-1 record to lead the squad this season. She ranks fifth in the conference in strikeouts with 55.

Wayne State (11-14, 3-1 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 13-9
Last Meeting: 4/26/23 - DU defeated WSU 9-8 in Caledonia, Mich.
About the Warriors

Last season, the Warriors finished 16-30 overall and 5-19 in GLIAC action.
Returned three All-GLIAC performers from a season ago, Becky Hodder (First Team), Shelby Miller (Honorable Mention) and Rylie Josephson (Honorable Mention).
Entering the weekend off a pair of wins over Parkside on Saturday, March 30. The Warriors will play SVSU on Saturday, April 6, before the doubleheader with DU.
Josephson is leading the Warriors in 2024, batting .419, which ranks third in the conference. She is also second in the GLIAC in stolen bases with 12.
In the circle, Sydney Long leads the squad in wins (four) and ERA (3.46).
Picked to finish last in the GLIAC coaches preseason poll.

Live Coverage
Saturday, April 6 at Grand Valley State (1 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Sunday, April 7 vs Wayne State (1 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#77 Becca Daoust: UT; 5' 4"; Junior; L/R

#13 Hayley Kreiger: IF; 6' 1"; Graduate Student; R/R

#6 Savanna Disbrow: IF; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#14 Hailey Whisman: P; 5' 9"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#77 Becca Daoust
: 5' 4"; Junior; L/R
: UT

#13 Hayley Kreiger
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student; R/R
: IF

#6 Savanna Disbrow
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#14 Hailey Whisman
: 5' 9"; Freshman; R/R
: P