KENOSHA, Wis. — The sixth inning doomed the Davenport baseball team on Friday as they fell to Wisconsin-Parkside in a tense 8–7 defeat at Historic Simmons Field. Davenport's early momentum was highlighted by a three-run first inning, and a 5-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth. However, the Rangers' decisive seven-run sixth inning shifted the game in their favor, securing the win. It was just the fourth win in 31 all-time games against Davenport for Parkside.
Davenport started strong in the first inning with
Justin Johnson's groundout allowing
Sam Clay to score after Clay doubled to left field.
Dylan Pawenski followed with a single, and
Aiden Warn's two-run homer to left field, his third of the season, gave the Panthers a 3–0 lead after the first.
In the third inning, the Rangers managed to get on the scoreboard against
Sean Knorr. Benjamin Loyd singled, advanced on a single by Dylan Sayles, and scored on a single by Josh Wicker, narrowing the gap to 3–1.
Davenport extended its lead in the fourth inning. Pawenski singled and advanced on a throwing error, scoring on a single by
Travis Liford. Liford later scored on a single by
Cam Johnson, making it 5–1.
The momentum shifted in the sixth inning when the Rangers scored seven runs. Mason Mitacek's two-RBI single ended the day for Knorr and
Brandon Skorupski entered. Angel Rades' RBI double was followed by a two-RBI single by Loyd and a two-run homer by Sayles to right center, propelling the Rangers to an 8–5 lead and undoing the work done by Knorr. He finished with 5 2/3 innings and recorded eight strikeouts.
Davenport responded in the eighth inning. Johnson tripled and scored on Pawenski's single. Pawenski scored later on Liford's fielder's choice, reducing the Rangers' lead to 8–7. Liford was on second and
Wyatt Epple was on first with one out, but
Cam Johnson and pinch hitter
Parker Neel struck out to end the inning.
The Panthers got a leadoff single by Clay in the ninth and was bunted over by
Carson Lindau.
Justin Johnson grounded out and Clay moved to third. Pawenski was frozen on a curveball to strike out and end the game.
Skorupski struggled, giving up three hits and three earned runs in just 1/3 of an inning and took the loss (2-2).
Jaden Alberson provided a strong finish, delivering two innings of hitless relief with two strikeouts, closing the game without further damage.
Pawenski delivered a strong performance, collecting three hits and scoring three runs. Liford contributed with two RBIs and scored a run. Warn added power to the lineup with a home run, driving in two runs and scoring once.
The next challenge for Davenport is set for Saturday, April 11, when it faces the Rangers at 2 p.m. in a doubleheader.
