PREVIEW & NOTES: Hawks Open World Series Against Colorado Mesa

#2 Colorado Mesa (48-10 South Central) vs. #14 Quincy (37-21 Midwest)
May 28, 2017 | 7 p.m.
Grand Prairie, Texas | AirHogs Stadium

FIRST CWS TRIP: The Hawks took the long way to their first NCAA Division II World Series appearance in more ways than one. In the previous two seasons, the Hawks earned the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, meaning they served as the host school, first in St. Charles, Mo. in 2015, then at QU Stadium last season. In 2017, Quincy was the No. 3 seed and made the long hike to Midland, Mich. There, the Hawks won the first two games, but fell to host Northwood on the third day. QU then beat Wayne State to get to Championship Monday where QU beat Northwood twice, 4-3 and 2-0, to earn their first berth in the final eight.

CLUTCH START, CLUTCH FINISH: In the elimination game against Wayne State, freshman Jimmy McDonald made his first career start and just third collegiate appearance and gave the Hawks five solid innings, allowing just three earned runs with no walks. Still, Quincy trailed 5-3 heading into the ninth inning with its season on the line. Sophomore T.J. Tamaccio worked a leadoff walk and junior Brynn Martinez slugged the first pitch he saw over the wall in right-center, tying the game at 5. Seniors Dominic Miles and Jake Walters followed with walks and junior J.C. DeMuri went deep for a go-ahead three-run homer. Junior closer Cole Crawford retired the Warriors in order to clinch the win.

FRESHMEN DAZZLE: After winning Monday's opener against Northwood to advance to the winner-take-all game, the Hawks turned to rookie left-hander Riley Martin, who tossed six shutout inning as the game was scoreless going into the seventh. Senior Jack Klages hit a solo blast in the top of the seventh to give QU a 1-0 lead and freshman righty Alex Pribyl blanked the Timberwolves over two relief innings as the Hawks stretched their lead to 2-0. Northwood loaded the bases against Crawford in the ninth, but he induced a pop-out to secure the World Series bid.

MILES AHEAD: Quincy's leadoff hitter and center fielder Dominic Miles has put together one of the greatest careers in program history. He is the Hawks' all-time leader in hits (271), runs (197) and at-bats (768). He is also tied for first in walks (109), tied for third in doubles (40) and ranks fourth in RBI (143). This season, Miles is batting .348 with 12 doubles, five homers, 63 runs and 20 stolen bases. He is reaching base at a .459 clip. In six games at the Midwest Regional, Miles had five hits and seven walks and led the team with seven runs.

ALL-AMERICAN: Senior second baseman Jake Walters earned first team All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for an outstanding season. The right-handed hitter ranks second on QU's single-season homer list with 18 while hitting .320 on the season with 56 RBI and 15 doubles. He has a .455 on-base percentage, .685 slugging percentage and has drawn 39 walks and 13 hit-by-pitches.

SPRAKER THE ACE: Senior righty Graham Spraker has been the Hawks' ace all season. He is 7-5 with a 2.61 ERA, but over his last eight apperances (seven starts), Spraker is 4-2 with a 1.97 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 50 1/3 innings.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Cole Crawford: RHP; 6' 4"; Junior; R/R

#2 Brynn Martinez: SS; 5' 9"; Junior; S/R

#7 Dominic Miles: OF; 6' 2"; Senior; L/R

#30 Graham Spraker: RHP; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#21 Jake Walters: 2B; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#9 JC DeMuri: OF; 6' 4"; Junior; R/L

#29 Jack Klages: C/3B; 6' 0"; Senior; L/R

#31 Alex Pribyl: RHP; 6' 1"; Freshman; R/R

#32 Riley Martin: LHP; 6' 1"; Freshman; L/L

#33 Jimmy McDonald: RHP; 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#22 Cole Crawford
: 6' 4"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#2 Brynn Martinez
: 5' 9"; Junior; S/R
: SS

#7 Dominic Miles
: 6' 2"; Senior; L/R
: OF

#30 Graham Spraker
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#21 Jake Walters
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: 2B

#9 JC DeMuri
: 6' 4"; Junior; R/L
: OF

#29 Jack Klages
: 6' 0"; Senior; L/R
: C/3B

#31 Alex Pribyl
: 6' 1"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP

#32 Riley Martin
: 6' 1"; Freshman; L/L
: LHP

#33 Jimmy McDonald
: 6' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: RHP