CALEDONIA, Mich. — Davenport baseball secured an 11-5 victory over Purdue Northwest on Sunday in the regular-season finale to complete a four-game sweep over the Pride. Davenport's offense exploded with a six-run fifth inning, highlighted by six doubles in the game, to break a tie and pull ahead. This performance was just one double shy of their season-high, showcasing their offensive prowess. The Pride managed a three-run first inning and a late two-run effort in the ninth, but it was not enough to close the gap.
Davenport opened the game with a strong offensive display in the bottom of the first inning. After PNW took an early lead with a three-run homer from Billy Chidsey, Davenport responded with a walk to
Cody Hultink and a subsequent double by
Aiden Warn.
Ben Korson and
Travis Liford reached base, setting the stage for
Wyatt Epple's RBI walk and
Carson Lindau's two-RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. The Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of the first all with two outs.
The fourth inning saw Davenport's offense regain momentum. Epple doubled and advanced to third on a flyout, allowing
Aidan Arbaugh to drive him in with a double.
Julian Contreras followed with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 5-3 for Davenport, which contributed to their streak of double-digit hits in each game of the series.
Davenport's offense erupted in the fifth inning.
Dylan Pawenski singled and stole second, setting up Warn's RBI double. Korson added another RBI double, and Epple's double scored Korson. Contreras' RBI single, aided by a fielding error, and Hultink's two-RBI single extended the lead to 11-3.
In the ninth inning, PNW attempted a comeback with two runs, but Davenport maintained its lead. Joey Guiliano and Brayden Barrett each contributed RBI singles against
Connor Apligian, but the rally fell short. Davenport secured an 11-5 victory over the Pride, marking their fifth consecutive win heading into the GLIAC Tournament.
Ian Dixon started on the mound for Davenport and pitched two innings, surrendering three earned runs on four hits.
Jaden Alberson provided stability, pitching a season-high four innings, conceding four hits and three walks while securing the win, moving his record to 2-0 and lowering his team-leading ERA to 2.84.
Aidan Arbaugh pitched one inning and struck out a pair.
Gabe Helder took over for Arbaugh, giving up one hit and striking out one of his own on 20 pitches, 13 of which were strikes.
Connor Apligian faced challenges in the ninth, allowing two earned runs on four hits and issuing one walk.
Warn led the offense with three hits, including two doubles, while scoring two runs and adding an RBI. He batted 8-for-12 in the series with four doubles, two home runs, and five RBIs. Epple contributed significantly by scoring two runs, collecting two hits, and driving in two RBIs. Hultink was effective at the plate, recording two RBIs with one hit and two walks. Contreras added to the team's success with two hits and two RBIs.
Up next, the team will play on Thursday, May 7 in the GLIAC Tournament against Saginaw Valley State. This year's tournament is being held at UWM Field in Utica, Mich.
