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Davenport baseball sets sights high in fiost season in the GLIAC

Posted at 11:12 PM, Mar 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-27 23:12:28-04

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Davenport is in its first season as a member of the NCAA Division II, and the baseball team is hoping to get the school's first GLIAC conference title.

"I don't think we have any aspirations of being in the middle of the pack," seven-year head coach Kevin Tidey said. "We want to contend for a title, that's for sure."

The Panthers opened GLIAC play with by taking three of four from preseason favorite Wayne State last weekend.

"People don't think we should really be here," senior outfielder and reigning GLIAC player of the week Austin Petravicius said. "Getting a 3-1 lead in the series of the team that is supposed to win the whole thing is huge for us."

DU is led by a talented senior class that has 20 members.

"I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that there is such a huge jump in talent," senior shortstop Anthony DiPonio said. "I feel as though the top of the NAIA is very good, and I feel as though some of the top NAIA teams that come over to Division II, like we are, can compete, and I think that is one of our goals is not only to compete but play for something, play for a championship."

Davenport (3-1, 12-9) beat Hillsdale 23-12 Tuesday night. The Panthers will be at at Saginaw Valley State this weekend and host Grand Valley State next weekend.