GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport softball is coming off a challenging weekend against GMAC opponents Cedarville, Findlay, and Tiffin. The Panthers' closest opportunity came in an extra-inning battle against Findlay, where they narrowly fell 6-5 in eight innings.

Through preseason play, DU has competed in 22 games and now turns its attention to the 30-game conference slate that remains. With nearly half of the overall season still ahead, the Panthers will look to build momentum as GLIAC play begins.

Last weekend featured several notable moments for the Panthers, highlighting strong individual performances at the plate…

• Alaina Schwanke, Chloe Parker, Lexie McCarty, and Colette Sutton each belted home runs over the weekend.
• Schwanke led the team with seven hits, adding two RBIs and a run scored.
• Kailyne Luna recorded five hits, including a pair of doubles and an RBI.
• McCarty totaled five hits, driving in four runs while adding two doubles and scoring twice.
• Darby Kramp returned to the lineup after injury, going 3-for-4 in pinch-hit opportunities.

Scouting GLIAC Opponents 
Wayne State 

• The Warriors currently hold a 7-8 overall record and are wrapping up their preseason slate at the USSSA Space Coast Games, with their final game scheduled for March 17.
• Five Warriors are hitting over .300 this season, led by Hunter Near, who is batting .370 while appearing in all 15 games. Near has totaled 17 hits in 46 at-bats, posting a team-high .630 slugging percentage, along with seven RBIs and a team-best 29 total bases.
• Elly Koopman leads the team with 10 RBIs and six doubles, while batting .333 on the season.
• In the circle, junior Sydney Long has logged a team-high 48.1 innings and holds a 4-5 record with a 3.19 ERA, adding 30 strikeouts. Last season as a sophomore, Long pitched 125.2 innings with a 3.95 ERA and 86 strikeouts, including a career-high 10 strikeouts against Saint Michael's.

Saginaw Valley State 

• The Cardinals enter the weekend with a 10-8 overall record after a dominant 2025 campaign in which they finished 49-15, captured their fourth consecutive GLIAC Championship, and made a run in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship.
• Emma Helvie leads the squad offensively with a .429 batting average, totaling 21 hits in 49 at-bats while adding 15 RBIs, two home runs, five doubles, and five runs scored—ranking among the team leaders in multiple categories.
• Two-way standout Aalana Kimble has recorded 19 hits in 50 at-bats with eight runs scored and four RBIs, while drawing seven walks and adding three doubles. In the circle, Kimble has thrown 54.0 innings with a team-best 1.94 ERA, striking out 39 and holding a 5-3 record.
• Alongside Kimble, senior Macy Irelan has logged 47.1 innings with a team-high 47 strikeouts and a 2.66 ERA, compiling a 4-4 record on the season.

Live Coverage
March 21st vs. Wayne State: Livestream / LiveStats
March 22nd vs. Saginaw Valley St.: Livestream / Live Stats