QUINCY, Ill. – The Hawks welcomed the Maryville University Saints for the opening game of a 4-game GLVC series at QU Stadium. A game that started as a pitchers' duel turned into a come from behind win for the Saints by the score of 6-5.
QU struck first in the opening game after Gino D'Alessio singled to the third baseman, Luke Napleton took a 2-0 delivery and sent it over the right field wall for his 16th home run of the season. Hawk starter Spencer Walker found his groove and kept the Saints scoreless until the 5th inning.
The Saints took advantage of an error by Nolan Wosman to cut the lead in half at 2-1. As the game moved to the bottom of the 6th, Austin Simpson hit a missile down the right field line to make it 3-1. That was Simpson's 12th home run.
Both teams added a run in the 7th inning to make it a 4-2 game. Brett Panick was called on to close the game for the Hawks, but he had a difficult time finding the strike zone. The Saints took advantage of 3 walks and used 2 sacrifice flies to plate 4 runs in the top of the 9th.
QU could not find their offense against the Maryville closer as he struck out the side to finish the game.
The same two teams will battle in a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 12:00 p.m.
