ALLENDALE, Mich. — The softball squad faced a challenging doubleheader against Grand Valley State on Saturday, falling 4–3 in the first game in eight innings and 5–4 in the second at the GVSU Softball Field. In the first contest, Davenport managed eight hits, including two doubles and a triple, but left 11 runners on base, while Grand Valley State secured the win with a decisive run in the eighth inning.
The opener began with both teams scoring in the first inning. Chloe Bruman reached first on an error and later scored on a walk by Lexie McCarty, giving Davenport an early lead. However, the Lakers quickly responded with a run, making it 1–1 after the first inning after a Kylee Hoebeke RBI single. DU pulled ahead in the third inning when Alaina Schwanke doubled, and pinch runner Randi Robakowski scored alongside Cali D’Amour on a triple by Ashley Sturgill, putting the Panthers ahead 3–1. GVSU evened the score in the fifth with a two-RBI double from Grace Usher, leaving the game tied at 3–3 after five innings. The contest remained tied through the seventh, pushing it into extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth, GVSU scored the winning run on an RBI single by Elizabeth Wesoloski, concluding the game with a 4–3 victory for the Lakers.
Hannah Tahaney pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out one. She faced 20 batters and threw 66 pitches, 38 of which were strikes. Kayla Widner entered in relief, pitching 3 1/3 innings and conceding one earned run on six hits. Despite issuing four walks, Widner recorded two strikeouts over her 19 batters faced. Sturgill led the team by driving in two runs with her triple. Bruman contributed with two hits, one stolen base, and a run. Schwanke reached base twice, recording a double and drawing a walk, while Chloe Parker collected two hits…