Tucker Gernhard threw a two-hit complete game.
Panthers Take Two from Concordia in Home Opener
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
KENTWOOD, Mich. – In their first home series of the 2011 season, the Panthers swept two games from the Concordia Cardinals, posting 6-0 and 15-7 victories. The two wins lift Davenport's record to 14-6 on the season and a perfect 2-0 in the WHAC. Davenport and Concordia square off again tomorrow in another doubleheader with the first game set to start at 1:00 p.m.
An outstanding performance from pitcher Tucker Gernhard (Stafford, Va.) powered the Panthers in the first game. The redshirt senior hurler allowed only two hits and fanned 11 batters in a seven inning complete game, his second win of the year.
The Panther offense came alive in the second and third innings when the Panthers totaled five of their six runs. In the second inning, the Panthers used small-ball as they used four singles to score three runs.
The third inning saw the Panthers use the long ball as Mike Allen (Midland, Mich.) and Matt McNeil (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) hit back-to-back blasts for a 5-0 advantage. Davenport added a sixth run in the sixth inning to end the scoring.
Both teams' bats were hot in the nightcap as the two teams combined for 22 runs and 24 hits. The Panthers used strong third and fourth innings to pull away from the Cardinals.
Davenport scored five runs in the third with runs coming in a variety of ways. The Panthers notched runs on a wild pitch, sac fly, ground out and two RBI singles. Errors plagued Concordia in the inning as the visitors committed two errors and totaled six in the game.
After notching a homerun in the first game, Allen added a three-run shot in the second game to highlight the scoring in the fourth inning.
All nine Panthers in the starting lineup notched hits for the Panthers as DU's 15 runs came on 14 hits.
Cody VanKoevering (Jenison, Mich.) earned the win for the Panthers, pitching four inning and allowing four earned runs on six hits.
The Panthers and Cardinals finish their weekend four game series with a doubleheader tomorrow at East Kentwood HS. The first game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.
