CALEDONIA, Mich. — The Davenport baseball team had a mixed day against Saginaw Valley State on Monday at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex, securing a 7-3 victory in the first game before falling 8-7 in a closely contested second game in 10 innings. Davenport would take a 7-6 lead in the top of the 10th, but could not hold the lead as Gabe Helder hit a batter and walked another before Jacob Pitt had a one-out, walk-off single to score Lucas Mead. 

In the opener, Davenport took control with a dominant fourth inning after trailing 1-0 due to an unearned run by Saginaw Valley in the second. Wyatt Epple and Justin Johnson set the table in the third, with Dylan Pawenski tying the game at 1-1 with an RBI single. The fourth inning proved pivotal, as Carson Lindau's bunt single and Aidan Arbaugh's RBI single put Davenport ahead. Sam Clay's double and Johnson's single extended the lead, while Pawenski capped the inning with a two-run homer, pushing the score to 6-1.

Davenport added to its lead in the sixth after a throwing error allowed Travis Liford to reach base, ultimately scoring on Ben Korson's sacrifice fly, making it 7-1. Saginaw Valley responded with two runs, but Davenport's pitching held firm in the seventh inning, leading to a 7-3 final score. Easton Remick led the pitching effort with 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out five. Pawenski stood out offensively with three hits, including a home run and three RBIs. Johnson also contributed three hits and an RBI.

In the second game, Davenport faced an early 4-0 deficit, but the Panthers began their rally with Aidan Arbaugh hitting a solo home run in the third to cut the lead. The eighth inning saw a significant comeback as Sam Clay, Wyatt Epple, and Johnson loaded the bases for Pawenski, who delivered a three-RBI triple. Travis Liford's single brought Pawenski home, and Arbaugh's RBI infield single tied the game at 6-6.

Davenport briefly took the lead in the tenth inning with Epple's RBI infield single to third, making it 7-6. However, Saginaw Valley responded with two runs in the bottom half, securing the 8-7 victory. Carson Anthes struggled on the mound, allowing four earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. Lucas Coll provided a strong relief effort with three scoreless innings, striking out three. Clay led the offense with three hits, while Pawenski again made a significant impact with two hits and three RBIs.

In their next game, Davenport will host Hillsdale at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8 in non-conference action.