KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Davenport baseball (0-3) fell to Rockhurst (3-0) in a narrow 13-12 contest on Sunday to conclude the weekend series. No. 23 Davenport (D2Baseball.com) mounted a significant comeback with a six-run ninth inning, but it was not enough to overcome Rockhurst's early lead, which included a four-run first inning. Despite the loss, Davenport tallied 12 hits and forced 10 walks, displaying resilience in the late stages of the game.
Davenport faced Rockhurst in an eventful game, ultimately falling short with a final score of 13-12. The Hawks took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs without recording a hit, capitalizing on walks and errors. They led 4-0 after the first.
In the second inning, Davenport responded as Aidan Warn scored following a series of walks, trimming the deficit to 4-1. However, the Hawks extended their lead with three unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. Rockhurst was ahead 7-1 after the second.
Davenport added another run in the third when
Cody Hultink scored on a double by Warn, but the Hawks maintained a 7-2 lead. By the fifth inning, Davenport had closed the gap slightly with a sacrifice fly by Hultink, bringing
Sam Clay home, but Rockhurst still led 9-4.
The eighth inning saw Davenport narrow the lead further with two runs, highlighted by an RBI single from Hultink. The Hawks' lead was reduced to 13-6. In the ninth, Davenport made a dramatic push, scoring six runs. The inning was fueled by a series of singles and walks, with RBIs from
Max Ferrick,
Wyatt Epple, and others.
Davenport's pitching staff faced challenges throughout the game against the Hawks.
Lucas Coll struggled with control in his DU debut, allowing four earned runs on four walks and a hit batsman in just 1/3 of an inning.
Braden LaRusso managed to strike out one batter over one inning, but also surrendered two runs on three walks and a hit batsman.
Colton Blankstrom provided some stability, pitching three innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out two.
Gage Vota closed the game with a solid inning, registering a strikeout without allowing a hit or run. Despite the difficulties, Davenport's pitchers collectively struck out five batters over the course of the game.
Sam Clay scored two runs and collected two hits, including a double, while being hit by a pitch to reach base. Epple contributed significantly with three RBIs and added a hit and a walk. Hultink also drove in three runs, scoring once and drawing three walks.
Justin Johnson was consistent at the plate, finishing with three hits and an RBI, reaching base on a hit-by-pitch as well.
In their next game, Davenport will travel to Johnson City, Tenn., to face Indianapolis at noon Friday, Feb. 20. Entering this weekend, the Panthers were ranked fourth in the region by the NBCWA, while the Greyhounds were third. It is a rematch of last year's NCAA regional hosted by Davenport.
