QUINCY, Ill. – The Hawks took down the Peacocks of Upper Iowa Friday afternoon (Mar. 7) after the Hawks offense put up four runs in the ninth inning for a walk-off victory.
It was a pitcher's duel for the first six innings of play, as both teams were held scoreless through the first six frames. The Peacocks jumped on the board first in the top of the seventh after scoring a run on an error. Hawks starter
Kade Ruffner was pulled after the run came in, but it was his best outing of the year. Ruffner finished with 6.2 innings and gave up one unearned run of four hits, two walks, and six punchouts.
Upper Iowa added insurance in the top of the ninth after an RBI fielder's choice and a wild pitch made it 3-0 heading into the Hawks' home half. With three outs remaining, the Hawks offense only had five hits in the game, but
Jake Vitale quickly started the rally with a big fly to right field.
Two quick outs following the home run put the Hawks in a tough spot, still trailing by two runs. The inning continued after a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases.
Joe Huffman stepped to the plate next and lined a one hopper to the second baseman, who was shifted deep behind second base. What looked to be the third out of inning turned out to be two runs for the Hawks, as
Isaiah Fudge beat out the throw to second base and
David Broughton came around to score all the way from second base to tie the ballgame at three.
After a meeting on the mound for the Peacocks,
Evan Davis stepped to the plate, looking to walk it off for the Hawks for the second time this season. Upper Iowa closer got Davis to roll over to third base, but a rushed throw from the Peacock's third baseman skipped past the first baseman, and the Hawks walked away winners in game one.
The Hawks have now won five in a row following their sweep against the Colorado School of Mines.
Kyle Manship earned his second win of the season after 2.1 innings of relief.
Ben Dahlof extended his hit streak to seven games after a single in the fifth inning.
Matt Mateo and Huffman both had two hit days as well.
The Hawks will be back at home tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader against the Peacocks, with the first pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM.
