QUINCY, Ill. - The Quincy University baseball team swept Rockhurst University on day one of their weekend series Saturday afternoon (Mar. 24). The Hawks defeated Rockhurst 5-2 and 1-0 in the doubleheader.
Play by Play:
Game 1
QU and Rockhurst were locked in a pitchers duel in game one of the weekend series. QU starter Aaron Stone held Rockhurst scoreless through four innings.
Rockhurst plated a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 1-0 lead.
QU was held scoreless through the first six innings and trailed Rockhurst 1-0.
The Hawks caught fire in the top of the seventh, as they scored five runs on six hits. A pair of singles by Michael Nielsen and Chandler Purcell put runners on first and second with no one out. Jake Viaene doubled to right field to tie the game at 1-1.
Matt Hilmes singled home Purcell and Viaene to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead. TJ Tamaccio tripled, scoring Hilmes and putting the Hawks up 4-1. Brynn Martinez singled home Tamaccio to give the Hawks a 5-1 lead.
After retiring a pair of batters, starter Aaron Stone was replaced by reliever Karl Hirsch after allowing his second run of the game. Karl Hirsch worked around a bases-loaded jam to keep the QU lead 5-2.
Hirsch tossed a scoreless eighth to keep the Hawks ahead 5-2.
Cole Crawford recorded a scoreless ninth to pick up his four save of the year and give the Hawks a 5-2 win.
Game 2
Junior Nick Stroud was dominant in the second game of the doubleheader. Stroud tossed a complete game shutout in QU's 1-0 win over Rockhurst. Stroud was nearly flawless in the win. He allowed just three hits and walked only two in seven innings of work. Stroud also struck out nine Rockhurst Hawks in his fourth win of the season.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three full innings.
Sophomore Michael Nielsen provided the only run of the game with a solo home run to right field.
Stroud retired the next six Rockhurst batters to keep QU ahead 1-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Stroud worked around a bases-loaded jam to keep the Hawks in the lead 1-0. With one out, Rockhurst loaded the bases but Stroud was able to get a strikeout and a fielders choice to end the threat.
Stroud completed his terrific performance by striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh.
Stroud moved to 4-2 on the season and has allowed four or fewer hits in four of his six starts this season and leads the team with 37 strikeouts.
Stat Leaders for QU:
Game 1
Brynn Martinez: 2-5, 1 RBI
Michael Nielsen: 2-4, 1 Run
Matt Hilmes: 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 Run
Aaron Stone (W, 3-0): 6 2/3 IP, 6 Ks, 2 ER
Game 2
Michael Nielsen: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 Run, 1 RBI
Chandler Purcell: 2-3
Nick Stroud (W, 4-2): 7 IP, 2 Hits, 9 Ks, 0 ER
Next up for the Hawks:
The Hawks battle Rockhurst tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. (Mar. 25).
QU's Record:
The Hawks are now 13-6 on the season and have won 11 of the last 13 games.
