CALEDONIA, Mich. — Davenport (15-31, 11-13 GLIAC) split a pivotal Sunday doubleheader with Wisconsin-Parkside (21-27, 10-14 GLIAC), dropping a tight opener before responding with a late Game 2 rally to secure the split and hold its ground in the conference standings.
With postseason implications on the line, the Panthers avoided a costly sweep thanks to a clutch seventh-inning comeback in the nightcap where Ally Prasjnak, Lexie McCarty, Madison Cole, Sydney Drenth and Kailyne Luna all contributed in the high-pressure seventh inning.
Game One
Davenport struck first in the opening inning as
Chloe Bruman scored on an RBI walk by
Ally Prasnjak, capitalizing on early command trouble from Parkside starter Casey Jo Vermett to take a 1-0 lead.
The game remained tight throughout before the Rangers broke through in the sixth inning, plating four runs in the frame. A two-RBI double from Megan Medlin highlighted the rally, along with a run-scoring error from center field and an RBI single to give UWP a 4-1 lead.
Davenport responded in the bottom half, cutting the deficit to one. Prasnjak delivered again with a two-RBI double down the left line, bringing home Bruman and pinch runner Cali D'Amour to make it 4-3.
The Panthers threatened in the seventh but were unable to push across the tying run, falling just short in the opener.
Hannah Tahaney tossed a complete game, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out five over 7.0 innings.
Bruman paced the offense with two hits and two runs scored, while Prasnjak drove in all three Panther runs.
Game Two
Davenport wasted no time getting on the board in Game 2, as Luna walked and later scored on a Parkside throwing error to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The advantage grew in the fourth inning. Luna crossed the plate on an RBI single from Alaina Schwanke, followed by another run scored by Bruman on a Chloe Parker single to make it 3-0.
Parkside chipped away with a run in the sixth before delivering a four-run rally in the top of the seventh, briefly taking a 5-3 lead and putting Davenport on the brink.
Facing a potential drop in the GLIAC standings, the Panthers answered.
In the bottom of the seventh, Davenport mounted a decisive rally. Ally Prasnjak and Lexie McCarty both scored on a throwing error to tie the game at 5-5, setting the stage for Luna, who delivered the walk-off single to plate Madison Cole and secure a 6-5 victory.
The win proved critical, as a loss would have dropped Davenport to sixth in the conference standings heading into a tough series with Ferris State.
Schwanke was strong in the circle, allowing just one run on three hits over 5.2 innings while adding two hits and an RBI at the plate.
Luna led the offense with three hits, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and the game-winning RBI.
Cole added two RBIs, while Prasnjak reached base three times and swiped two bags.
Up Next
Davenport heads to Big Rapids for its first meeting of the season with Ferris State before returning home to host the Bulldogs on Saturday, May 2. The home doubleheader will also serve as Alumni Day at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
