TAMPA, Fla. – The 20^th-ranked Quincy University baseball team opened their season on Friday, February 10^th against the #3 University of Tampa Spartans. The Hawks jumped out to an 8 run lead through 4.5 innings and that proved to be enough as they held off the attempted comeback by the Spartans and took the victory by the score of 8-7.

Lance Logsdon got the offensive going in the top of the 1^st inning with a double to left center. Luke Napleton, who was a preseason All-American, would get a pitch he liked and sent it over the left field wall for his first home run of the season to make it 2-0 Hawks.

After QU starter and preseason All-American pick Spencer Walker, set the Spartans down in order in the bottom of the 1^st, the offense got back to work in the 2^nd. Adam Lewis drew a one out walk, then Zach Parks singled to right center to bring Lewis around to give QU a 3-0 lead.

Quincy added to their lead in the top of the 4^th inning with 4 runs on 2 hits. The UT starter was pulled after he allowed two walks and a single up the middle from Logan Voth. Gino D'Alessio drew a walk from the Spartan reliever to stretch the lead to 4-0. With the bases loaded, Logsdon singled through the left side to bring home Parks and Voth. Austin Simpson reached on a fielder's choice that scored D'Alessio to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead.

In the top of the 5^th, Brock Boynton scored an unearned run to make it 8-0 in favor of the Hawks.

The Spartans would scatter 7 runs over the final 4 innings, but the Hawks' runs proved to be enough.

Spencer Walker would go 4.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks and striking out 3 in the victory. Carter Endisch came on for the final out of the contest to pick up his first career save.

Game 2 of the series is Saturday, February 11^th at 11:00 a.m. (CST).

GAME LEADERS
Lance Logsdon: 3 for 5, 2B, 2 RBIs, run
Luke Napleton: 1 for 5, HR, 2 RBIs, run
Brock Boynton: 2 for 5, 2B, run
Logan Voth: 2 for 5, run