UTICA, Mich. — Davenport (29-26) fell to No. 7 Grand Valley State (45-8) for the fifth straight time, 12–3 on Sunday at UWM Field in the GLIAC Tournament championship. The game turned in the fourth inning with Davenport up 2-0. The Lakers scored 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth and never looked back to secure the championship for the second time in the last three years (2024, 2026).
Davenport took an early lead in the first inning when
Justin Johnson scored after reaching base with a single, aided by a walk to
Aiden Warn and an error that allowed
Ben Korson to reach base.
Travis Liford's single to left field brought Johnson home, putting Davenport ahead 1–0.
In the third inning, Davenport extended its lead to 2–0. Korson singled up the middle and advanced to second on a walk to Liford.
Wyatt Epple then delivered a single to center field, driving in Korson.
GVSU responded decisively in the fourth inning, scoring 10 runs. The inning was highlighted by Will Bowen's grand slam, which made the score 5-2. Ayden VanEnkevort followed with a two-RBI single and Bowen drove in his fifth run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to plate the 10th run. The scoring continued for the Lakers in the fifth inning with two more runs, including a solo homer by Jovan Gill, and a RBI grounder by VanEnkevort, increasing their lead to 12–2.
The Panthers in the seventh inning saw Johnson hit his 11th home run of the season, a solo blast to left field, narrowing the deficit to 12–3.
Jeff Agar started on the mound, pitching three innings and allowing three earned runs on two hits while striking out one and walking three.
Brandon Skorupski faced difficulties as he did not record an out and surrendered four earned runs on three hits, including the grand slam to Bowen.
Brayden Flanders pitched for one inning, giving up one earned run on two hits and issuing a walk.
Lucas Coll also pitched one inning, allowing two earned runs on two hits with a home run to Gill.
Joe Chrapliwy closed out the game effectively with three innings of work, giving up no earned runs and allowing just one walk and one hit-by-pitch.
Epple turned in a great tournament batting .500 (9-18) with two runs scored, a triple, and a team-high seven RBIs. Korson hit .350 (7-20) with four runs scored and a solo homer. Johnson hit three long balls and drove in five runs.
