Walker, Hawks open series against Screaming Eagles with another quality start

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Spencer Walker continues to deliver efficient and effective innings, no matter how high the pitch count runs.

It’s easier to do when the offense keeps extending the lead.

The Quincy University senior right-hander pitched seven or more innings for the fifth time in his last six starts Friday night, throwing a season-high 137 pitches over eight innings in a 7-2 victory over Southern Indiana to kickstart the four-game Great Lakes Valley Conference series at the USI Baseball Field.

Walker struck out a season-high 10, walked three, allowed one earned run and seven hits, and got seven ground ball outs as the Hawks played flawless defense behind him.

Walker has won five consecutive starts and never trailed against the Screaming Eagles thanks to an opportunistic Hawks offense.

Sophomore catcher Luke Napleton gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead by leading off the second inning with a home run, and Gino D’Alessio made it 2-0 when he drew a bases-loaded walk later in the inning. The Screaming Eagles got a run back in the bottom of the frame with a two-out RBI single from Tachioka.

In the seventh, Quincy (13-10, 4-1 GLVC) scored four times to give Walker some breathing room. Zach Parks, D’Alessio and Lance Logsdon started the inning with three consecutive singles. A fielder’s choice plated the first run, the second came on a wild pitch and senior infielder Kade Burns delivered a two-run single to make it 6-1.

Burns had one previous RBI single in his career.

A throwing error on a fielder’s choice in the eight allowed another QU run to score.

D’Alessio finished 3 for 4, while Brock Boynton went 3 for 5 and Logsdon collected two hits for the Hawks, who will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.