CALEDONIA, Mich. — Davenport University opened conference play in dramatic fashion, sweeping Wayne State (11-9, 0-2) in its home opener with back-to-back walk-off victories at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. Chloe Parker delivered a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 5–2 win in Game 1, before Lexie McCarty followed with a walk-off two-RBI double in the seventh inning of Game 2 to lift the Panthers to a 6–5 victory.

Game 1
Davenport took advantage of four Wayne State errors but had to grind through a tight, back-and-forth opener. The Warriors struck first in the second inning with an RBI double, but the Panthers answered right away as McCarty came around to score on a sacrifice by Alex Rendon to even the game.

Both sides were held in check over the next few innings behind strong pitching, with Davenport threatening in spots but unable to break through. The Panthers finally grabbed a 2–1 lead in the sixth, capitalizing on a pair of Wayne State miscues before Parker lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in the go-ahead run.

WSU answered in the top of the seventh, capitalizing on a two-out miscommunication in the infield to even the score at 2–2, just as DU was one out away from closing it out.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers picked each other up. Chloe Bruman opened the inning with a single, Ally Prasnjak followed with a base hit to put two runners on, and with two outs, Parker delivered the decisive blow — a three-run walk-off home run to give Davenport a 5–2 victory.

Hannah Tahaney was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just one earned run on five hits and striking out six. Parker led the offense with four RBIs, while Prasnjak and McCarty each added two hits.

Game 2
The Panthers carried their momentum into Game 2, but once again had to earn it late.

DU struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on a WSU throwing error before Alaina Schwanke delivered an RBI single to the left center gap giving the Panthers a 1–0 lead. Wayne State answered in the third with a three-run frame to take control, but Davenport responded immediately.

After Bruman's triple set the tone, Kailyne Luna flipped the momentum with a two-run home run to even the score — her first of the 2026 season. The surge continued as McCarty added an RBI single later in the inning, giving Davenport a 4–3 lead.
Both teams were held in check over the next few innings, with the Panther's pitching settling in and keeping the game within reach. In the top of the seventh, however, the Warriors strung together back-to-back RBI doubles to reclaim a 5–4 lead, putting DU on the brink.

Davenport answered one final time in the bottom of the seventh. Prasnjak got things started with a bloop single that dropped between the pitcher and a diving first baseman, just inches from being caught. Schwanke followed with a base hit to put the tying run on. After a 2-for-3 day at the plate, Madison Cole executed a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position, setting the stage for McCarty's two-RBI walk-off double to secure the 6–5 win.

Up Next
The Panthers return to the field Sunday for another home conference doubleheader, welcoming Saginaw Valley State with first pitch set for noon.