CLERMONT, Fla. – Davenport opened the NTC Spring Games with a doubleheader against Nova Southeastern. The Sharks came into the first game with an 8-5 record and more game-experience than Davenport has had so far this season. The Panthers defense was stellar in game one, holding the Sharks scoreless. The effort from DU was rewarded with a 1-0 win in game one. The offense picked up for both teams in game two, with Nova Southeastern taking the game 7-5. The win in game one was the first for the Panthers this season.
 
Game 1-Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-1 | Nova Southeastern University-0
Location: Clermont, Fla.
Records: DU (1-4) | NSU (8-6)



Inside The Box
Selene Pauley (1-4)
Gabby Palazzolo (2-3)
Rachel Griffin (0-3, R)
Rylie Kalina (1-2, BB)
Alexis Koza (1-3, RBI)
 
Senior pitcher Mallory Teunissen took care of things on the defensive end for Davenport, and the rest of the team came through with a clutch run on offense. Teunissen tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters in the process, while only walking one. The Panthers scored the winning run in the second inning. Griffin reached on an error and advanced to second on a groundout by Alexa Flores. Later in the inning Griffin advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. During the next at bat, Koza reached on an error and Griffin scored. Teunissen and the rest of the defense clung to the lead for the rest of the game.
 
Game 2-Sunday, February 24 at 4:15 p.m.
Final Score: Davenport University-5 | Nova Southeastern University-7
Location: Clermont, Fla.
Records: DU (1-5) | NSU (9-6)

Inside The Box
Palazzolo (1-4, R, RBI, SB)
Pauley (1-4, SB)
Griffin (0-3, R, RBI, SF)
Kalina (1-4, R, 2B)
Abby Merice (1-3, R, BB)
Koza (1-3, RBI, BB)
Kennedy Crawford (2-3, 2 RBI)
 
In game two the offense picked up for both teams. Davenport was in control for a majority of the game, they held a lead through three innings of play. Nova Southeastern took control in the final four innings, scoring two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a two-run lead that they would hold onto. The scoring for Davenport was spread out, five different players scored a run for DU. The first came in the first inning when Griffin flied out to the right field and Palazzolo scored. In the second inning Palazzolo reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Urban. Davenport scored three runs in the third. Griffin scored on a throwing error by the shortstop to get things started and then Crawford singled to third base to score Merice and Kalina. The Panthers were held scoreless in the final four innings.
 
Up Next
Davenport faces Nova Southeastern tomorrow morning and then will play the Czech Replublic National Team in an exhibition contest at noon.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Kyleigh Linebaugh