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Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS
SOFTBALL PREVIEW

Softball Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Preview: Panthers Set to Begin GLIAC Action

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - After beginning the year with 20 consecutive non-conference games to start the 2025 season, the Davenport University softball team begins GLIAC play this upcoming weekend.

Scouting the Opponents
Wayne State (11-12, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: DU leads 15-11
Last Meeting: 4/24/24 - Davenport defeated Wayne State 2-1 in Detroit, Mich.
About the Warriors
  • Finished last season 17-30 overall with a 9-15 record in GLIAC action. 
  • Rylie Josephspon is the top returner from last season, a First Team All-GLIAC performer in 2024. The warriors also return sophomore Logan Forman, an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection a season ago.
  • Leading the Wayne State offense so far this season is Katelyn DeWitt, batting .425 (31-for-73) and a team-high 24 runs scored. She has also notched six doubles, three triples and three home runs. DeWitt also earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors in week one.
  • In the circle, Sydney Long is coming off a week in which she earned GLIAC Pitcher of the Week honors. So far this season, she leads the team in strikeouts (44) and has a 3-2 record.
  • Enter the weekend off a 7-5 win over Northwood on Wednesday (March 19).
  • Picked to finish sixth in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Saginaw Valley State (13-7, 0-0 GLIAC)
Series Record: SVSU leads 13-12
Last Meeting: Saginaw Valley defeated Davenport 4-2 (9 Inn.) in University Center, Mich.
About the Cardinals
  • Last season, SVSU ended the year 35-22 overall and 16-8 in conference play. The Cards then won the conference tournament and clinched a berth in the NCAA Midwest Regional. 
  • The Cards returned four All-GLIAC performers from a season ago including First-Team selection Aalana Kimble, Second-Team member Ella Reifschneider, and Honorable Mentions Mya Purdy and Emma Helvie.
  • This season, Lillia Sherman leads the team in batting average, hitting .382 (21-for-55) with six doubles, one home run and 12 RBIs. 
  • Macy Irelan is the ace in the circle for SVSU, posting a 1.48 ERA, five wins and 89 strikeouts. She has won GLIAC Pitcher of the Week three times this season.
  • Coming off a sweep over Hillsdale on Wednesday (March 19).
  • Picked to finish first in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Live Coverage
Friday, March 21 at Wayne State (3:00 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Sunday, March 23 at Saginaw Valley State (noon) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
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