Bunts lay groundwork for big inning as Hawks erase five-run deficit to stay in winner’s bracket

MARION, Ill. — The nation’s top home-run hitting team showed it can play small ball when it needs to as well.

It caught everyone by surprise, especially Missouri S&T.

In the final game of the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament late Thursday night, the top-seeded Quincy University baseball team fell behind 5-0 but turned things around with back-to-back home runs from Luke Napleton and Lance Logsdon  in the bottom of the third inning.

What took place the next inning showed the Hawks’ versatility.

After Joe Huffman led off with a walk, Ben Dahlof dropped down a sacrifice bunt that went for a single as he reached first base safely. Brock Boynton followed with another bunt, leading to a single and a throwing error that enabled both runners to score.

Dustin Dupont followed with another bunt, getting down a sacrifice bunt to move Boynton into scoring position. He scored on Logsdon double to tie the game, which the Hawks won 9-8 with a walk-off walk in the bottom of the ninth inning.

“That just goes to show how deadly of a team that we are,” Boynton said. “We’ve got the long ball. We’ll put the ball in gaps. And you better watch out because we’re going to lay one down, too.”

Boynton, a senior center fielder who has played in 157 career game, believed his bunt was the first of his career.

No one ever thought they’d see the team that has hit 116 home runs this season, which leads all NCAA Division II squads and is the fifth most in a season in Division II history, lay down three consecutive bunts.

“Not a chance,” Logsdon said. “But anyway to score in the postseason. That’s all that matters.”

QU coach Matt Schissel wanted the offense to be more diverse and dynamic when he took over, which is why the Hawks have worked on putting bunts down and being aggressive on the basepaths.

“It showed tonight,” Schissel said. “It’s part of the reason why we won.”