Davenport University Athletics

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Davenport University split its opening day at the GLIAC Tournament on Thursday at the Crown Point Sportsplex, falling to Grand Valley State 4-2 before responding with an 8-1 elimination-game win over Wisconsin-Parkside — marking the Panthers' first GLIAC Tournament victory since 2021 and eliminating the Rangers from tournament play. Davenport will now continue its postseason run on Saturday in Crown Point. 

Game One
Result: L, 4-2 vs. Grand Valley State
Davenport struck first in the second inning as Ally Prasnjak doubled and later came around to score on an RBI single from Lexie McCarty, giving the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.

Grand Valley State answered in the third behind an inside-the-park home run to the centerfield wall from Camryn Hall to even the game at 1-1. The Lakers later moved in front in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk before extending their lead to 4-1 in the fifth on a two-run double from Elizabeth Wesoloski.

The Panthers cut into the deficit in the sixth as Chloe Bruman scored on a sacrifice fly from Prasnjak, making it 4-2, but Davenport was unable to complete the comeback.

Prasnjak led the Panthers at the plate with two hits, a double, one run scored and one RBI. Chloe Parker also added two hits, while Savanna Clark recorded a hit and a stolen base.

Hannah Tahaney started in the circle, tossing 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. Kayla Widner came on in relief, throwing 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.

Game Two
Result: W, 8-1 vs. Wisconsin-Parkside
Facing elimination, DU responded in a big way, using a 14-hit offensive performance and a complete-game effort from Alaina Schwanke to defeat Wisconsin-Parkside 8-1.

Parkside opened the scoring in the first inning on a solo home run from Mia Johnson, but the Panthers quickly took control in the second. Schwanke reached third on a fielding error before McCarty brought her home on another Ranger miscue to tie the game. Alex Rendon followed with an RBI fielder's choice, Kailyne Luna added a sacrifice fly and Bruman delivered an RBI single to give Davenport a 4-1 lead.

Prasnjak extended the advantage in the third with a solo home run, pushing the Panthers ahead 5-1. Davenport added another run in the fourth before Lyla Reynolds broke things open in the fifth with a two-run single that scored McCarty and Madison Cole, making it 8-1.

Schwanke handled the rest in the circle, throwing all seven innings while allowing just one earned run on seven hits. She issued one walk and threw 63 strikes on 98 pitches to earn the win.

Cali D'Amour led Davenport offensively with three hits, including a double, while Prasnjak added two hits and a home run. McCarty finished with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Reynolds drove in two runs in a pinch hitting opportunity. 

Up Next
The Panthers will return to postseason play on Saturday, May 9, with their next opponent still to be determined. The tournament will continue on Friday, May 8, with Davenport's next matchup depending on the results of Friday's games.