VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Hawks hung a seven-spot in the eighth inning to make things interesting down the stretch but ultimately weren't able to over come the 11 runs scored by the Blazers of Valdosta State in the first six innings, dropping the contest by an 11-9 score. 

It was a less than savory start for QU as VSU put five on the board in the first two innings as a plague of walks and timely Valdosta hitting put Quincy in a tough spot from the onset of the ballgame. 

The Hawks got one back in the third as Austin Simpson poked a two-out base hit out to the right field wall scoring Dustin Dupont before the second runner was gunned down at home trying to stretch it to end the inning with QU trailing 5-1. 

The walk bug bit Quincy again in the fifth and VSU took advantage of it, putting up five more runs to distance themselves a good deal. The Blazers added their last run of the game in the sixth on a bases loaded walk to make it 11-1, one of 14 free passes issued by QU including three HBP's. 

Scoring resumed for the Hawks in the seventh as Joe Huffman singled to the left side to bring in Conner Simons on an ensuing error. but it wasn't until the seventh the the offense finally hit its stride. 

Still chasing nine runs in top of the eighth, Quincy sent 12 hitters to the plate to produce seven runs and burst back into the game. Dupont drove in a pair with a single along with another from Huffman on a single to center and three more from Simpson on a long homer to right that unfortunately proved to be every bit of the rally killer round-trippers are known to be as the Hawks never scored again to come up just short in the admirable comeback attempt. 

Next Up

The Hawks continue their road-trip around the state of Georgia, this time traveling to Columbus for a matchup with the Cougars of Columbus State University on Thursday (Feb. 22). First pitch is slated for 3:00 PM CST from Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.