INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The opening game of the four-game series at Indianapolis gave the fans and coaching staff some heartburn as the Panthers and Greyhounds delivered a wild one. Davenport looked to be in complete control with an 8-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Greyhounds then woke up and scored six runs of
James Geshel to make it 8-6. While Davenport could not regain their offensive prowess from the first five innings, Indianapolis continued to apply pressure and scored once in the sixth and four times in the seventh to take an 11-8 lead. The Panthers showed up in the top of the ninth as they regained the lead 12-11. The home team prevailed in the bottom of the ninth with two runs for the 13-12 win. Davenport is now 8-4 overall and UIndy moves to 6-6 and snaps a six-game losing streak.
Justin Johnson had the big hit early in the four-run third inning with a three-run home run for his first of the season and the 4-0 lead.
Michael Tchavdarov continued the scoring in the fourth inning with a two-RBI single for a 6-0 advantage. Johnson registered his fourth RBI with a sacrifice fly for a 7-0 lead.
Logan Todd then delivered a RBI single for the 8-0 advantage.
Geshel breezed through the first four innings but could not get the final out in the fifth. The Greyhounds scored all six of their runs with two outs.
Connor Apligian did record the final out of the fifth and also threw in the sixth inning. He did not allow a hit, but walked three and had two wild pitches. Geshel finished with 4.2 innings and allowed six runs with three walks and four strikeouts.
The Panthers rallied in the ninth as
Sam Clay had a two-RBI single up the middle to make it 11-10.
Coltrane Rubner had a good at-bat and stayed alive to deliver a RBI double to left center to tie the game at 11.
Chase Kemp followed with the go-ahead RBI single to right. Kemp finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored. The Panthers could have had another run in the ninth but pinch runner
Carson Lindau was thrown out at the plate on the Rubner double for the second out.
Ian Dixon had the chance to get the save in the bottom of the ninth, but instead took the loss. After a pop-out to start the inning, he gave up a double to Easton Good. Dixon then walked the next two batters to load the bases. Luke Smock had the walk-off single to right to send his teammates out of the dugout to celebrate with him. Smock drove in four runs to lead the Greyhounds. Austin Bestul earned the win with one relief inning despite giving up the four runs in the top of the ninth.
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