SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Continuing play at the UIS Capital City Classic, the Panthers battled through two contests Friday, dropping a 7-3 decision to Ohio Dominican before falling to Illinois Springfield.
Game One
Davenport showed early life, collecting five hits — including a pair of doubles — and striking first in the third inning. After reaching third on an error, Ashley Sturgill crossed the plate on a single from Savanna Clark, giving the Panthers a 1-0 advantage. The moment marked the first hit, run scored, and RBI in a Panther uniform for both newcomers, providing an early spark in the dugout.
Ohio Dominican quickly shifted the momentum in the fourth. A leadoff single set the tone before O. Congleton delivered a two-run home run to ignite a five-run frame. The rally continued with a triple from L. Irvine and a two-RBI single by E. Massey, pushing ODU in front 5-1.
The Panthers refused to go quietly as Ally Prasnjak ripped a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Lexie McCarty in the bottom half of the inning trimming the deficit. DU continued to chip away in the sixth when Prasnjak singled and came around to score on a double off the bat of Alaina Schwanke, cutting the lead to 5-3 and keeping pressure on the board.
Prasnjak led the offensive effort, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored. However, ODU added insurance in the seventh on a two-run double by K. Sterling to seal the 7-3 decision.
In the circle, Hailey Whisman worked three innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, while Jordan Empie provided an inning of relief.
Game Two
In the second game of the afternoon, offense proved harder to come by for the Panthers, who were limited to just two hits across five innings.
Davenport's best scoring opportunity came in the third when Madison Cole drove a triple deep to right field, bringing life to the Panther dugout. With a runner 60 feet away, the momentum briefly shifted, but Illinois Springfield worked out of the jam and left Cole stranded to preserve the scoreless tie.
That missed opportunity quickly changed the tone. In the bottom half of the inning, UIS broke through with five runs, highlighted by a three-run home run from E. Steward that swung momentum decisively. The Prairie Stars continued to build their advantage in the fourth, adding four more runs behind a triple from C. Scroggins and another three-run blast from Steward, stretching the lead to 9-0 and bringing the run rule into effect.
Hannah Tahaney recorded four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings in the circle, while Lyla Reynolds joined Cole in the hit column with a single, accounting for the Panthers' only other hit of the contest.
Up Next
Davenport will continue its non-conference slate next week with a spring break trip to Viera, Fla., from Feb. 27 through March 6. The Panthers are scheduled to play 12 games during the stretch as they prepare for the heart of their season.
