VIERA, Fla. — Davenport wrapped up its Florida trip on Friday with a pair of contests, falling 8-1 to Winona State before dropping a tightly contested 1-0 extra-inning decision to Walsh. Hannah Tahaney highlighted the Panthers' efforts in the circle in the second game, striking out nine batters over 7 1/3 strong innings in the extra innings thriller versus Walsh.
Game 1
Winona State wasted little time getting started, as Alyssa Woelfel doubled on the first pitch of the game, helping spark an early offensive surge in the opening contest of the day.
The Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind RBI hits from Bryn Elsenpeter, Lila McNeill and Indigo Fish. Davenport responded in the second when Madison Cole singled and later scored on a groundout by Sydney Drenth to cut the deficit to 3-1.
WSU quickly regained momentum with a solo home run from Woelfel to make it 4-1 before adding three more runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run double from McNeill.
The Panthers' pitching staff settled in during the middle innings, holding the Warriors scoreless in the fourth and fifth. Hailey Whisman made the start, while Kayla Widener, Jordan Empie and Alaina Schwanke provided relief appearances. Schwanke turned in two strong innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
Winona State added its final run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Ava Smith to extend the lead to 8-1.
Cole, Chloe Bruman, Lyla Reynolds, Alaina Schwanke and Kailyne Luna each recorded hits for Davenport, while Bruman also stole a base.
Game 2
Davenport battled through a scoreless pitcher's duel but came up just short in extra innings against Walsh.
Tahaney turned in a standout performance in the circle, striking out nine batters while allowing just four hits across 7 1/3 innings. The Panthers' defense matched the effort early, keeping the Cavaliers off the scoreboard through the first seven innings.
Davenport created one of its best scoring opportunities in the third inning when Sydney Drenth singled and Kylie Hegland followed with a pinch-hit single to right field that moved Chloe Bruman to third. However, the Panthers were unable to push a run across and the game remained scoreless.
Under international tiebreaker rules in the eighth inning, Grace Gilbert began the frame on second base for DU. Drenth moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt, but the Panthers could not capitalize.
Walsh ended the contest in the bottom half of the inning when Morgan Hornaday advanced to third on a sacrifice before Lindsay Bingham delivered a walk-off single to center field for the game's lone run.
Luna highlighted the Panthers' offense with a triple, while Ashley Strugill, Drenth and Hegland each added hits.
Up Next
The Panthers will return home to Michigan before a quick turnaround, taking on GMAC opponents Cedarville, Findlay and Tiffin from March 13–15. Davenport previously met all three programs earlier during its Florida trip.
