Walker, Napleton land on All-GLVC first team, with three Hawks earning second-team honors

QUINCY — Spencer Walker’s consistency and Luke Napleton’s power couldn’t be ignored.

Neither could the stellar effort of Jay Hammel, the quality at-bats of Dayson Croes and the comeback effort of Alex Pribyl.

Those five have played an integral part in the Quincy University baseball team rising to fourth in the latest NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings and the Hawks’ second-place finish in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Blue Division.

Their reward is being honored with All-GLVC plaudits.

Walker and Napleton were first-team selections, while Hammel, Croes and Pribyl received second-team honors. Maryville designated hitter Joey Polak, a Quincy Notre Dame product, also was a first-team pick, and Saints left-hander Jacob Kroeger, a Palmyra product, picked up second-team honors.

Walker, a senior right-hander who has been the Hawks’ ace all season, has fashioned an 8-1 record with a 2.78 ERA in 12 starts. He has struck out 68 and walked 20 while tossing three complete games and two shutouts.

Napleton, a sophomore catcher, crushed 17 home runs during the regular season with a team-leading 56 RBIs and a .349 average. He ranked third in the GLVC in home runs, and his 17 round-trippers are the third most in a single season in program history. Napleton also committed only two errors defensively and threw out 10 would-be base stealers.

Hammel, a senior right-hander, won four of his last five starts and has a 7-2 record with a 3.41 ERA. He led the QU pitching staff with 73 strikeouts against just 13 walks.

Croes, a senior second baseman, led the Hawks with a .372 batting average during the regular season. He was second on the team with 12 doubles and 52 RBIs.

Pribyl, a senior right-hander who came back from Tommy John surgery, went 3-1 with one save and a 3.37 ERA in 12 appearances. He struck out 48 in 26 ⅔ innings.

Polak, a 2016 QND graduate, finished with the highest batting average among GLVC regulars, hitting .415 with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 54 RBIs. Kroeger, a left-handed starter, went 5-1 with three complete games, one shutout and a 3.98 ERA. He struck out 85 and walked 25 over 61 innings.