GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The 24th-ranked Davenport softball team concluded their regular season schedule on Saturday afternoon as they hosted No. 5 Saint Xavier (Ill.). Davenport was able to split with the Cougars to grab their first ever program victory over a team ranked in the top-five of the polls. The Panthers will now head into the WHAC Tournament starting on Wednesday at the Art Van Sports Complex in Rockford, Mich.
 
On Saturday afternoon even though Davenport was playing a non-conference game, they were able to earn a share of the WHAC regular season title after Madonna split with UM-Dearborn on Saturday, as the Panthers and Crusaders ended conference play with record of 15-3.
 
Game 1 – Saint Xavier 2, Davenport 0
In the first game, Saint Xavier got on the board in first inning as Sarah Saunders singled to left to drive in the only two runs in the game to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead after the top half of the first inning. The Panther offense was unable to get the bats going as they only mustered two hits in the game, as Paige Sant'Angelo doubled to lead off the second inning and Haley Obetts hit an infield single for the second hit in the game for Davenport.
 
In the pitcher's duel, Nicole Nonnemacher (22-3) was able to out duel Emily Maves (21-4) in the circle. Nonnemacher allowed just the two hits, while striking out nine Panthers in game, while Maves allowed two runs on five hits and had three strikeouts.
 
Game 2 – Davenport 6, Saint Xavier 2
After being stymied in the first game, the Davenport offense was able to strike first Carli SanMillan was able to drive in Alyssa Eastman in the second inning. In the fourth inning, Saint Xavier was able to charge back to take a 2-1 lead, but Davenport countered with two runs of their own in the fourth to regain the lead.
 
Davenport was able to get three insurance runs in the home half of the sixth inning Obetts drove in SanMillan with a single up the middle and Alyssa Koziol followed up with a double to left field to drive in two runs to close out the game and give the Panthers a 6-2 win.
 
Eastman was able to pick up her 14th win of the season in the circle as she pitched all seven innings surrendering two runs on six hits.
 
Davenport will now wait to see who they will face in the opening round of the WHAC Tournament, which starts on Wednesday at the Art Van Sports Complex in Rockford, Mich.
 
Softball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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