Logsdon’s grand slam puts cap on strong start to weekend for QU baseball team

QUINCY — If the rest of the weekend follows suit, the seniors on the Quincy University baseball team will create a memorable way to say goodbye.

Friday’s start set the tone.

Senior right-hander Spencer Walker struck out eight over seven innings, the eighth-ranked Hawks opened the game with five consecutive singles and fifth-year first baseman Lance Logsdon punctuated the 12-5 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over Drury with a grand slam.

All it takes is three more similar efforts starting with Saturday’s doubleheader.

Left-hander Griffin Kirn and right-hander Kobe Essien are slated to start both ends of the twinbill. Senior right-hander Jay Hammel will get the start in Sunday’s series finale.

Walker uncharacteristically opened Friday’s game by hitting Drury leadoff hitter Tyler Bastunas in the middle of the back with a pitch. It led to a run on a two-out single, but the Panthers’ lead was erased quickly.

Gino D’Alessio led off the bottom of the first with a single up the middle and the merry-go-round started. Dustin Dupont singled to right field and Luke Napleton singled to left, plating D’Alessio with the first run. Logsdon singled to right field to load the bases, and Nolan Wosman singled to left field to drive in another run.

A strikeout and a double play ended the threat, but the Hawks (33-9, 20-5 GLVC) weren’t done.

Adam Lewis led off the second inning with a home run to left field, Austin Simpson jacked a two-run homer to right field in the third, and Dupont and Logsdon had RBI singles in the seventh.

In the eighth, the Hawks loaded the bases with one out thanks to two singles and a hit batter. After Dupont was retired on a foul popout, Napleton walked to force in a run and make the Panthers go to the bullpen. Logsdon greeted Drury reliever Kade Biellier with a grand slam to right field.

It was Logsdon’s 46th career home run and his seventh career grand slam. He finished 3 for 5 with five RBIs. D’Alessio went 3 for 5 with three runs scored, while four other Hawks had two hits apiece as part of a 17-hit attack.

Walker allowed four runs and eight hits, while striking out eight, walking two and hitting two batters. Brett Panick and Chase Gockel each worked an inning of relief, combining to strike out four and walk three.