SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Davenport baseball (6-10) fell to the University of Illinois Springfield (11-6) in a high-scoring contest, 14-11, on Sunday to conclude the four-game series with two wins apiece. Davenport surged with a five-run second inning and added a four-run rally in the ninth, but was unable to overcome UIS's consistent scoring throughout the game. Despite the defeat, Davenport's offense tallied eight hits and drew 10 walks, while the Prairie Stars capitalized on six doubles and two home runs to secure the victory.
Davenport took an early lead in the second inning with a five-run surge.
Aiden Warn singled to right center, followed by
Dylan Pawenski being hit by a pitch and
Travis Liford drawing a walk to load the bases.
Sam Clay was hit by a pitch, allowing Warn to score.
Wyatt Epple then doubled to left field, bringing in three more runs.
Cody Hultink capped the inning with an RBI single, scoring Epple, giving Davenport a 5-0 advantage. UIS responded with two runs in the bottom half, reducing the lead to 5-2 after two innings.
In the third inning, UIS tied the game at 5-5 with a two-run homer from Kaden Griffitts. The fourth inning saw UIS take the lead with a solo home run by Johnny Wendling, pushing the score to 6-5.
UIS extended its lead in the fifth inning by scoring two runs on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, making it 7-5. They then widened the gap in the sixth inning with four runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Kody Morton, bringing the score to 11-5.
Davenport's pitching staff achieved 11 strikeouts swinging in the game, significantly exceeding their season average of 7.47 for the 2025-26 season. Liford tripled in the seventh inning, driving in two runs to bring the score to 11-7. However, UIS added two more runs in their half of the inning, extending their lead to 13-7.
In the eighth inning, UIS added another run, making it 14-7. Davenport mounted a late comeback attempt in the ninth inning.
Max Ferrick reached on an error, and
Justin Johnson was also safe on an error. Warn walked to load the bases, and a series of plays, including a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by
Carson Lindau, brought in four runs, but the rally fell short.
Easton Remick took the mound for Davenport, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing seven earned runs on five hits, including two home runs, while striking out six and walking four.
Gabe Helder entered in relief and struggled in his 2/3 inning appearance, giving up four earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
Jimmy Amptmann followed, contributing 1 2/3 innings with two earned runs, two hits, and five walks, while recording a single strikeout.
Lucas Coll pitched 2/3 inning, allowing one earned run with two walks and two hit batters, but managed to strike out two.
Ty Kraut closed with a brief 1/3 inning of scoreless work, facing just a single batter and inducing a flyout.
Epple delivered a key performance by driving in three runs with his lone hit, a double. Clay contributed with two hits and one RBI, enhancing the team's offensive efforts. Warn showed patience at the plate, scoring three runs while drawing three walks. Meanwhile, Liford added three RBIs, including a triple that helped propel the scoring.
In their next game, Davenport will face St. Cloud State for the first time ever at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, in Winter Haven, Florida.
