TAMPA, Fla. – The #20 Quincy University Baseball team closed out its three-game set against the #3 Spartans of the University of Tampa with a 12:00 p.m. (EST) contest on Sunday (Feb. 12) in Tampa Bay. After splitting the first two games of the series, the Hawks came away with a big win in the rubber match, taking down UT 11-10 for a 2-1 series victory.

The Hawks struck early, notching a run in the top half of the first inning on an RBI groundout from Luke Napleton bringing in Gino D'Alessio to score after he opened the game with a double and was moved over on a sacrifice fly from Lance Logsdon, 1-0 Quincy.

After striking out the side in his first inning of work, the UT offense got to QU starter Griffin Kirn in the second inning on a two run homer to give the Spartans the lead 2-1 after the second frame.

The Hawk lineup got back to work in the third inning starting with a single from Zach Parks followed by another double from D'Alessio down the left field line. A perfect relay from UT gunned down Parks at Homeplate for the first out of the inning. An RBI double from Napleton that brought in D'Alessio, bookended by two walks loaded the bases for Quincy.

Hawk third baseman Nolan Wosman hit a sac fly to drive in Logsdon giving QU a 3-2 lead. An infield single from centerfielder Brock Boynton reloaded the bases for an Adam Lewis two RBI single to close out the scoring in the inning, 5-2 Quincy.

After two quiet innings, Tampa got back on the board in the bottom of the fourth. After two hits and two walks, UT scored their third run of the game and with the bases loaded, the Hawks called on Cruz Meier out of the bullpen to get out of the jam. A double from the Spartans drove in another run but Meier struck out the last hitter of the inning to leave two runners on base, 5-4 QU.

Later in the bottom of the sixth inning, UT tied the game at 5-5 on a solo shot, prompting the Hawks to bring in righty Carter Endisch in relief of Meier. A single along with a throwing error put a runner in scoring position that was driven in later by a double, 6-5 Spartans.

QU responded immediately tallying five runs in the top of the seventh inning to regain the lead. Singles from D'Alessio and Lodgsdon as well as a hit-by-pitch for Napleton loaded the bases for Austin Simpson. Simpson deposited a ball over the fence in right center field for a grandslam to propel the Hawks to a 9-6 lead. Not to be outdone, Wosman hit a homerun of his own in the next at bat for back to back jacks, 10-6 Quincy.

UT answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh inning to even the game once again at 10-10. Hawk reliever Nolan Roseman worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning after coming in to slow the Tampa lineup in the bottom of the seventh, setting the table for some ninth inning heroics.

With one down in the Hawk half of the ninth, Luke Napleton drove a pitch over the left field wall to give Quincy a one run advantage heading into the final three outs of the contest, 11-10 Quincy.

QU lefthander Brett Panick came on in relief of Roseman to collect the final three outs of the game. The Spartans threatened, even getting the tying run to third base in the final frame, but a groundout to the shortstop, D'Alessio, ended the comeback bid and gave the Hawks an 11-10 win and 2-1 series victory.

The Hawks continue their tour of Florida with a midweek 5:00 p.m. (EST) contest at Saint Leo University on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) before traveling to Rollins University for a weekend three game series.

Notable Performances
Luke Napleton: 2 for 4, 3 RBI, 3 Runs, HR
Austin Simpson: 2 for 4, 4 RBI, 2 Runs, HR
Nolan Wosman: 2 for 4, 2 RBI, 1 Run, HR
Gino D'Alessio: 3 for 5, 3 Runs, 2 doubles