ALLENDALE, Mich. — Davenport baseball (21-21, 11-6 GLIAC) secured an 8-6 victory over No. 7 Grand Valley State (34-8, 13-4 GLIAC) on Friday at GVSU Baseball Field. This win marked the Panthers' fifth consecutive victory against GVSU. Davenport's offense was highlighted by a three-run fifth inning, contributing to its 12-hit performance. Despite the Lakers nearly matching Davenport in hits with 11 and scoring two runs in the fifth, they could not overcome the deficit. Both teams left 11 runners on base, emphasizing the close nature of the game.
Davenport faced off against the league-leading Lakers, with the home team taking an early lead. In the bottom of the first inning, Jovan Gill hit a two-run homer, putting the Lakers up 2-0. This game was particularly significant as it handed GVSU their first home loss of the season (5-1).
Davenport responded in the third inning.
Julian Contreras singled and advanced on a walk to
Sam Clay.
Justin Johnson's groundout allowed Contreras to score, and a single by
Dylan Pawenski drove in Clay, leveling the score at 2-2. The Lakers regained the lead with an RBI single by Gill, making it 3-2 at the end of the third.
In the fourth inning,
Travis Liford's ground-rule double set up a sacrifice bunt by
Julian Contreras, scoring Liford and tying the game again at 3-3. However, the Lakers added another run to edge ahead 4-3.
The fifth inning saw Davenport's offense surge. Pawenski singled, followed by a walk to
Aiden Warn and another to Liford, loading the bases.
Wyatt Epple delivered a two-RBI single off the first base bag, and a throwing error on a stolen base allowed Liford to score, giving Davenport a 6-4 lead. The Lakers responded with a two-run double down the left field line from freshman catcher Noah Brandt, tying the score at 6-6.
In the sixth, Contreras doubled and scored on a groundout by second baseman
Carson Lindau in place of Clay, putting Davenport ahead 7-6.
Ben Korson extended Davenport's lead in the eighth inning with a solo home run, his third of the season, bringing the score to 8-6.
The final innings saw no further scoring from either team, as Davenport's defense and relief pitching held firm.
Sean Knorr took the mound as the starter for Davenport, delivering 4 2/3 innings with 104 pitches thrown, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits while striking out four and issuing three walks.
Jeff Agar (2-1) came on in relief, for his first appearance since March 21 due to injury, and pitched 3 1/3 innings, surrendering just one hit while also striking out three batters.
Lucas Coll closed the game, earning his first save in a solid one-inning performance, using 12 pitches to secure the victory.
Pawenski was effective at the plate, collecting three hits and driving in one run. Contreras recorded three hits, drove in one run, and scored twice, highlighting his offensive contributions. Liford added to the team's scoring with two runs and a double.
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 beginning at 1:00 PM once again in Allendale, Michigan.
