QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University baseball team won its fifth straight GLVC game with a 9-4 win over UMSL on Sunday (March 24). Michael Nielsen delivered a three-run home run in the bottom of the 8th to secure the three-game sweep of the Tritons. 

Play by Play

UMSL came out swinging in the series finale. Triton's outfielder Derrick Freeman unloaded on a first pitch fastball to give UMSL an early 1-0 lead. 

Quincy did not respond to the home run in the bottom of the frame. 

Missouri-St. Louis extended their lead in the top of the 2nd after an RBI double. UMSL went up 2-0. 

The Hawks did not trail long. 

QU's bats countered with a three-run second inning. The Hawks used smart situational hitting to manufacture three runs on just one hit. Lance Logsdon was walked and Cole Evans was hit by a pitch to put the first two runners on with no outs. 

Jacob Kalusniak sent a ball to center which scored Logsdon. Runners were at 2nd and 3rd after the hit as Kalusniak advanced to scoring position on a throw to 3rd. TJ Tamaccio quickly tied the score 2-2 with a fielder's choice to the right side. Kalusniak moved to third. 

Carter Naughton put the Hawks ahead with a ball up the middle, but it was fielded by the shortstop for the second out. QU took a 3-2 lead into the third. 

With the lead back in Quincy's favor, senior pitcher Nick Stroud settled in. After giving up two extra base hits in the first two innings, Stroud struck out seven batters in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings. 

In the bottom of the 5th, the Hawks capitalized on an error by UMSL's third basemen. The erred throw allowed Carter Naughton to score all the way from first. Quincy led 4-2. 

In the 6th inning, Stroud recorded a fly out for the first put-out. A walk, strike out, and stolen base put one man on second with two outs. 

The Tritons put back-to-back singles in play on the ground. QU still held a one run lead at 4-3.

Runners stood at 1st and 2nd when a walk loaded the bases for UMSL. 

Head coach Josh Rabe turned to his bullpen as left-hander Sam Stephens came in to relieve Stroud. Stephens got a ground ball fielder's choice at 2nd base to end the threat. 

Despite scoring four runs and holding a lead most of the game, the Hawk lineup was held to just three hits through seven innings. After UMSL tied the score 4-4 in the 8th with a solo home run, Quincy's offense jolted to life. 

Missouri-St. Louis allowed QU to apply pressure early in the inning with back-to-back walks with no outs. UMSL's coach made a pitching change with first basemen Michael Nielsen due up. The junior from Bloomingdale, Illinois had no home runs coming into the weekend before yesterday's grand slam. 

Nielsen continued Saturday's trend with another late home run well past the right field wall to put the Hawks back in front 7-4. 

Lance Logsdon and Cole Evans followed suit with a pair of singles. A double play by UMSL left Logsdon on third with two outs. 

TJ Tamaccio added fuel to the fire with a two run shot to left center which gave QU a 9-4 lead. Nielsen and Tamaccio combined for 14 RBIs on the weekend. 

Jeff Hightower came in for the final inning of work sealing the 9-4 win and series sweep of Missouri-St. Louis. 

Stat Leaders
Michael Nielsen - 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
TJ Tamaccio - 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R

Nick Stroud - 5.2 IP, 3R, 6H, 10 K, 3 BB

Record
18-4, 10-1 GLVC

The Hawks will have a quick turn-around as they once again face Illinois-Springfield in a midweek game. First pitch is set for noon on Tuesday (March 26).