QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University baseball team opened its second GLVC conference series of the season on Friday (Mar. 24) against the Bulldogs of Truman State University at QU Stadium. The Hawks came away with a run-rule victory, plating 14 runs in their seven inning 14-4 win.

QU starter Spencer Walker retired the side in order in the top half of the first inning, collecting two of his season high 10 strikeouts in the frame. Walker worked around an error in the second, adding two more strikeouts for a scoreless second.

The Hawks got into the scoring column in the bottom of the second inning. A leadoff homerun to right field from the designated hitter Austin Simpson put Quincy ahead 1-0 after two innings of play.

TSU got on the board in the top of the third inning on a 2 RBI triple to pull out in front 2-1. A throwing error from QU plated the runner on third to make it 3-1 heading to the bottom of the third.

With two down in the bottom of the third, Luke Napleton took a 2-2 delivery for a ride over the right field wall to draw back within one at 3-2. Both sides were held scoreless until the Hawks broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning on another bomb from Napleton, his 12^th of the season. The two-run shot scored Gino D'Alessio from second and gave Quincy a 4-3 lead after five.

After another 1-2-3 inning from Walker in the top of the sixth, the QU lineup exploded in the bottom half of the inning to break the game wide open.

Cole Erickson got the scoring started with a two-run homer that hooked around the left field foul pole to extend the advantage to 6-3. Five batters later, with the bases loaded, it was the hot bat of Luke Napleton once again, striking a single through the right side for two more RBIs. Up 8-3, singles from Nolan Wosman and Simpson drove in a pair to make it 10-3. Still not finished in the frame, a Dustin Dupont single plated two more runs to press the lead to nine at 12-3 heading into the seventh.

The Bulldogs responded with a run in the top of the seventh, a solo shot to right center field, to draw within eight at 12-4. Reliever Cruz Meier closed out the inning to bring the Hawks to the plate for the bottom of the seventh.

With one down in the seventh, Napleton singled up the middle, good for a 5-5 effort on the day, to get QU started in the inning. Lance Logsdon drew a walk to put men on first and second, setting the stage for Nolan Wosman to drive in the game ending run at first base. Wosman never got that chance as three consecutive wild pitches advanced both runners all the way around the bases to end the game 14-4.

The Hawks will continue the GLVC series tomorrow afternoon, Saturday (Mar. 25) with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.

Stats Leaders:
Luke Napleton: 5-5, 5 RBIs, 4 Runs, 2 HRs
Austin Simpson: 3-4, 2 RBIs, 3 Runs, HR
Cole Erickson: 2-3, 2 RBIs, 1 Run, HR
Spencer Walker: 6 IP, Win, 2 ER, 10 Ks, 0 Walks