GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Emily Maves had nine strikeouts and issued three walks to help Davenport's 16^th-ranked softball team hold off a reeling UM-Dearborn 8-5 in game one, but the Wolverines retaliated by using four home runs off to claim game two 10-1 in five innings to salvage a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference split Saturday afternoon.
 
Davenport (27-5, 7-1 WHAC) tallied 10 hits in game one but were held to only three in the evening cap. UM-Dearborn (15-15, 5-1 WHAC), which has been known for its offense this season, combined for 23 hits in the two contest.
 
Game 1 – Davenport 8, UM-Dearborn 5
The Panthers quickly jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Karli Myers led off with a single, Carli SanMillan followed with a double and KC Dunne drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out and the next four batters tallied a RBI to take a 4-0 lead.
 
After the Wolverines scored their first run in the second, the Panthers countered with a run on their own. Sarah Schneidenbach led off with a base hit up the middle and two sacrifice hits helped bring home the catcher.
 
While UM-Dearborn has kept it close throughout the game, Davenport added on to its 6-4 lead in the sixth. SanMillan reached on a fielding error and Dunne followed with a double to center to set up a two-run single by Sant'Angelo.
 
Maves (15-3) threw 151 pitches in a complete-game outing, allowing four earned runs on a dozen hits and three walks.
 
Game 2 – UM-Dearborn 10, Davenport 1 (5 Innings)
UM-Dearborn wasted no time getting to work against Eastman (12-2). The Wolverines tallied three singles, a walk and a three-run home run to take a 5-0 lead after one inning.
 
Alyssa Koziol hit a solo shot to left center for the Panthers only run in the second inning.
 
Eastman's day on the circle ended early after two consecutive home runs to start the third inning gave the Wolverines a 7-0 lead. Kyleigh Linebaugh took over and allowed three runs on five hits and two walks.
 
It is the first time since the final game of the 2014 season at the NAIA Opening Round that Davenport was the victim of a mercy rule in its own ballpark.
 
Davenport's homestand continues Sunday with Madonna visiting the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex for a 1 p.m. first pitch.
 
Softball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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