JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The 2025 season could not have started any better for Davenport as they swept Northwood University in a doubleheader on Friday. The Panthers took game one 3-0 in nine innings and then won 2-1 in seven innings against the Timberwolves team that made the NCAA regionals a year ago and were picked to finish second in the G-MAC North preseason coaches poll.
The pitching was the story as a pair of newcomers fared well and both starters got wins.
Keegan Batka, a transfer from Central Michigan, tossed seven shutout innings in game one and allowed four hits with six strikeouts. Batka was relieved by
Ian Dixon and he came in and preserved the shutout in two innings to earn the save. Dixon allowed just one hit and walked two with one strikeout.Â
Dylan Pawenski had the team's lone extra-base hit which was a solo home run in the fourth inning. He went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and also had a single in his first at-bat with the Panthers.
Michael Tchavdarov had a RBI single in the first inning and
Chase Kemp had a RBI single in the second inning.Â
James Geshel, a transfer from Western Michigan, piggy-backed the great outing by Batka with a seven-inning gem for the complete game in game two. Geshel allowed five hits and one earned run with no walks and 10 strikeouts. Davenport could only muster four hits in the nightcap but it was enough.
Cody Hultink blasted a solo home run in the second inning and
Sam Clay had a RBI groundout to score
Garrett Swan in the fifth inning.Â
