QUINCY, Ill. – The Hawks played host to regional foe Northwood University in the first home contests of the season on Saturday afternoon (Mar. 4) for a doubleheader starting at noon against the Timberwolves.

After defeating NU last year in the regional tournament semi-final, QU continued their winning streak against their opponents taking both games of the double header. Quincy won the first game 7-4, and the second, a seven inning affair, in walk off fashion 9-8.

Game 1

Northwood entered the scoring column first in game one, cashing in on an RBI single in the top of the second to push ahead 1-0 on Hawks starter Spencer Walker. Quincy answered immediately, scratching a run of their own in the bottom of the second on a solo blast from Nolan Wosman to knot the score at 1-1.

Both starters had their best stuff working for them, not allowing another run to cross until the Timberwolves broke through again in the sixth inning. A double to right center, following an error and a fielders choice drove in the third run of the contest to put NU back on top 2-1 heading into the late innings.

Moving forward to the bottom of the seventh, the Hawks used the long ball to get back in the game. Two solo shots, a leadoff bomb to dead center from Cole Erickson and another to left center from Gino D'Alessio gave Quincy a 3-2 lead heading into the final two frames.

The Timberwolves responded with a two-run homerun in the top of the eighth to regain the lead 4-3, leaving QU six outs to even the score.

Wosman lead off the bottom of the inning with a single, followed by another single from Dustin Dupont. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt and were driven in by a two RBI single from Adam Lewis to put the Hawks back on top at 5-4. After a pitching change and turnover of the lineup, leadoff man Gino D'Alessio took an outside pitch over the right field wall, also plating Lewis to push the lead even further to 7-4.

After relieving starter Spencer Walker in the eighth, Elijah Ecton completed a two inning relief stint, collecting the win and closing out the ballgame for a 7-4 victory.

Game 2

The Timberwolves jumped on Hawk starter Griffin Kirn in the first, plating three runs on a homer to right center making it 3-0 after the top half of the inning.

Still riding his hot-streak from the game before, D'Alessio opened the QU half of the first with a double to right center. D'Alessio scored later in the inning on a sac fly from Luke Napleton to get one back and bring the score to 3-1.

NU responded in the top of the second, scoring four more runs on two hits and two homeruns to break open their lead at 7-1 in the early going.
The Quincy lineup was held in check until the bottom of the third, cutting the deficit to four on a two-run homerun from Napleton, also scoring D'Alessio to make it 7-3.

The Hawk lineup was held off the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth. Down four with just six outs to work with in the shortened seven inning contest, Quincy closed the gap once again. A homerun from Wosman along with another from Joe Huffman drew QU within two at 7-5 heading into the final inning.

Northwood got a little insurance in the top of the seventh thanks to another long ball to spread the lead back to three at 8-5, setting the stage for a wild conclusion to the game.

D'Alessio got the Hawks started in the bottom of the seventh, reaching base on an error. After a strikeout and lineout, Lance Logsdon singled through the right side, putting runners at the corners with two down. Wosman kept the line moving, driving in the man from third and replacing him with Logsdon from first on an RBI double.

Down to their last out with the game tying run on second base, designated hitter Austin Simpson put a charge into one, driving it over the right center field wall for a walk-off bomb and a 9-8 Hawks win.

Quincy will be back in action tomorrow morning, Sunday (Mar. 5) for another doubleheader to close out the series with Northwood. First pitch is 11:00 a.m. at historic QU Stadium.

Stat Leaders (Game 1)
Gino D'Alessio: 3-5, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs, 2 HRs
Nolan Wosman: 2-4, 2 Runs, 1 RBI, HR
Cole Erickson: 2-3, 1 Run, 1 RBI, HR
Adam Lewis: 1-4, 1 Run, 2 RBIs
Spencer Walker: 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 K's
 
Stat Leaders (Game 2)
Nolan Wosman: 3-4, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs, HR
Austin Simpson: 1-4, 1 Run, 3 RBIs, HR
Luke Napleton: 1-3, 1 Run, 3 RBIs, HR
Joe Huffman: 2-3, 1 Run, 1 RBI, HR
Chase Gockel: 3 IP, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 5 K's