‘I had a gut feeling’: Transferring to Northwood leads Voth to everyday success, back to NCAA Tournament

First baseman Logan Voth, a Mendon Unity graduate and former Quincy University baseball player, has helped Northwood win the Great Midwest Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships. | Photo courtesy of Angie Yuncker

MIDLAND, Mich. — Logan Voth could have chosen the safe route. Instead, he trusted his instincts. Upon leaving Quincy University after the 2023 baseball season with the dream of becoming an everyday college player, the Mendon Unity graduate had two choices. One was to transfer to Webster University, an NCAA Division III program in St.…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, May 9

Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, May 9: Prep baseball Payson Seymour 2, Mendon Unity 1 Greenfield/Northwestern 9, Camp Point Central 7 Highland 4, Marceline 4 Palmyra 21, Highland 6 Liberty 13, Lutheran 3 Macomb 8, West Hancock 0 Monroe City 14, Van-Far 8 Petersburg PORTA 9, Pittsfield 7 Prep softball Quincy Notre Dame…

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Hawks bow out of GLVC Tournament as bullpen struggles lead to back-to-back losses

Quincy University sophomore right-hander Kade Ruffner delivers a pitch during Friday's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament elimination game against Missouri S&T at Mtn. Dew Park in. Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jack Rohn, QU Athletics

MARION, Ill. — It took too long for the Quincy University baseball team’s offense to come to life. Once it did, though, the bullpen couldn’t make a lead last. The Hawks scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning Friday against Missouri S&T in an elimination game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference…

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Roman’s Empire: Move from bullpen to starting rotation has been seamless for QU’s Harrison

Since moving into a full-time starting role during conference play, Roman Harrison has posted a 3.15 earned run average over 37⅔ innings for the Quincy University baseball team. | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

QUINCY — Roman Harrison had not started a game in three years, but when the opportunity to do so presented itself on March 17, he took it and has run with it since. Harrison, a junior left-handed pitcher for Quincy University, sat in the bullpen awaiting the second game of the Hawks’ doubleheader against 18th-ranked…

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Quincy’s Mateo, Harrison receive first team all-Great Lakes Valley Conference baseball honors

Matt Mateo, left, a junior from Kissimmee, Fla., led the team in hits (65), home runs (14), triples (3), runs (57), total bases (119), slugging percentage (.647) and on-base plus slugging (1.099). He hit .353 and drove in 53 runs. | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

QUINCY — Quincy University outfielder Matt Mateo and pitcher Roman Harrison were first-team all-Great Lakes Valley Conference selections, announced by the league on Tuesday. Outfielder Ben Dahlof and pitcher Kobe Essien earned honorable mention honors. Mateo, a junior from Kissimmee, Fla., led the team in hits (65), home runs (14), triples (3), runs (57), total…

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Missouri S&T’s Schisler, Scott recognized on all-GLVC baseball team

jake Schisler, left, and Keaton Scott | Photos courtesy of Missouri S&T Athletics

ROLLA, Mo. — A Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame graduate and a Hannibal High School graduate earned honors from the Great Lakes Valley Conference when it announced its baseball awards on the eve of its postseason tournament. Jake Schisler, a sophomore from Quincy, earned a spot on the All-GLVC second team. Schisler ended the regular season…

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Shutout victory over Truman State earns Pitcher of the Week honor for QU’s Ruffner

Sophomore Kade Ruffner had the best outing of his career on Saturday, May 3, at Truman State, shutting out the Bulldogs for seven innings to pick up the complete game 6-0 victory. | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Quincy University pitcher Kade Ruffner was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s pitcher of the week for the week of April 28, the final week of the regular season.  Ruffner had the best outing of his career on Saturday, May 3, at Truman State, shutting out the Bulldogs for seven innings to…

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Two critical errors lead to early 9-0 deficit as C-SC baseball team is eliminated from Heart tournament

Culver-Stockton's Tristan Meny swings at a pitch during Friday's game in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. | Photo courtesy of C-SC Athletics

OZARK, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College baseball team made two errors in the first three innings, leading to five unearned runs in an 11-5 loss in its elimination game with Mount Mercy University on Friday afternoon at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. The loss ends the Wildcats’ season with a 21-25 record.  After…

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Magic number for QU baseball team to qualify for GLVC postseason tournament down to one

Roman Harrison | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The magic number for the Quincy University baseball team is one. Winning one of two games on Saturday at Truman State, or a Rockhurst loss at William Jewell, will clinch a berth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference postseason tournament next week. Quincy inched closer to one of the tournament’s eight spots…

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Conzemius stellar in relief as QU baseball team inches closer to GLVC Tournament berth

Tom Conzemius | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Quincy University baseball team didn’t gain much ground in its chase for a berth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament next week, but it didn’t lose any. The Hawks traveled to Truman State on Thursday for the final four-game series of the regular season, winning the opener 6-3 behind a…

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C-SC baseball leaves 12 runners on base, scores just one run in first-round loss at Heart tournament

Cole Parkhill threw two innings of relief for the Culver-Stockton College baseball team on Thursday, giving up three hits and one run. | Photo courtesy of C-SC Athletics

OZARK, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton baseball team collected eight hits, three walks and two hit batters in its first-round game at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament, but only one of them crossed the plate in a 4-1 loss Thursday morning to Clarke University at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex. The Wildcats, the seventh…

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Quincy native comes in to shut door for Maryville as Hawks fall into three-way tie for sixth in GLVC

Noah Harbin | Photo courtesy of Maryville Athletics

QUINCY, Ill. — A seven-run second inning put the Quincy University baseball team in a good position to salvage a split of a four-game series with Maryville on Sunday. A seven-run eighth inning by the Saints put the Hawks’ postseason hopes in danger, and Quincy native Noah Harbin was one of the few pitchers for…

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QU pitchers turn in two stellar outings, but Maryville pitchers even better in twinbill sweep

Sophomore right-hander Kyle Manship took the ball for the Hawks in the second game. He worked six innings, struck out seven and gave up four hits and one run. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Excellent pitching gave the Quincy University baseball team a puncher’s chance in Saturday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader. The only problem for the Hawks? The Saints’ pitching was a little bit better. Both Maryville starting pitchers — Ben Gregory and Ty Rauser — tossed complete-game, seven-inning shutouts as the Saints swept the twinbill…

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Parkhill tosses shutout in opener of doubleheader sweep as C-SC earns conference tournament bid

Cole Parkhill hurled a complete game, seven-hit shutout in the opener of a Saturday doubleheader against Benedictine to seal the bid for Culver-Stockton College. He walked four and struck out seven to earn his third victory this spring. | Photo courtesy of C-SC Athletics

ATCHISON, Kan. — The Culver-Stockton College baseball team on Saturday earned a berth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time since 2021 by sweeping a doubleheader from Benedictine College by scores of 1-0 and 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at Olsen Stadium. C-SC, which finished the regular season with a 21-23…

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Photo Gallery: Two losses put QU in sixth place in GLVC as four teams hunt for final three playoff spots

Quincy University first baseman Harry Fandre stretches to catch the ball to retire Maryville's Nick Daugherty during Saturday's doubleheader at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey

Quincy University (21-24, 14-13 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference) and Maryville (27-18, 19-8) will conclude their four-game baseball series at noon Sunday. Quincy won Friday’s opener, and Maryville won two on Saturday. The Hawks are tied for sixth in the conference stndings with Missouri S&T, and they are only a half-game ahead of Missouri-St.…

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Hawks extend winning streak to five games, end 14-inning marathon with Fudge’s homer

Quincy University's Jake Vitale, middle, is greeted at home plate by Matt Mateo, left, and Ben Dahlof after hitting a home run in the 13th inning of Friday's baseball game at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy of Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The game took more than four hours and lasted 14 innings, but Isaiah Fudge gave the home fans a reason to leave QU Stadium with smiles on their faces Friday night. Fudge hit a solo home run to right-center field on the first pitch of the 14th inning, giving the Quincy University baseball team…

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C-SC baseball team one victory away from clinching playoff berth in Heart postseason tournament

Culver-Stockton's Davin Meier allowed just two hits and pitched around seven walks to earn his second victory this season. | Photo courtesy of C-SC Athletics

ATCHISON, Kan. — A two-hitter by Davin Meyer helped the Culver-Stockton College baseball team inch closer to a berth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference postseason tournament with a 3-1 victory over Benedictine College Friday afternoon at Laughlin Field. Benedictine banged out 12 hits to pick up a 10-4 victory in the nightcap to…

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C-SC baseball team rallies twice, now in position to clinch conference tournament bid next weekend

Josh Martini | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton athletics

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton baseball team came from behind in both ends of Saturday’s Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader with Missouri Valley College to earn a sweep of the twinbill and win the four-game series. The Wildcats scored three runs each in the fifth and sixth innings to overcome a 5-0 deficit to…

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Hawks move into sixth-place tie in GLVC after completing four-game sweep of Lincoln

Ben Dahlof rounds third base after hitting a two-run homer in the fourth inning in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy of TYler Menendez

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Quincy University baseball team completed a four-game sweep of Lincoln University on Friday with victories by scores of 5-4 and 11-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Hawks (20-22, 13-11 in the GLVC) are now tied with Missouri S&T for sixth place in league play, and they are one…

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Broughton helps Hawks move into tie for seventh in GLVC with doubleheader sweep at Lincoln

David Broughton | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Quincy University baseball team helped itself for getting into one of the top eight spots in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings, winning a doubleheader Thursday afternoon at Lincoln University by scores of 8-2 and 15-3. The sweep moved the Hawks (18-22, 11-11 in the GLVC) into a tie with…

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Hawks’ Essien named GLVC Pitcher of Week after shutting out Lewis on April 11

Kobe Essien tossed a seven-inning shutout in a 17-0 victory over No. 18-ranked Lewis on April 11. | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Great Lakes Valley Conference released its weekly honors for baseball on Monday, April 14, naming Kobe Essien as the league’s Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 7-13. Essien tossed a seven-inning shutout in a 17-0 victory over No. 18-ranked Lewis on April 11. The Hawks’ right-hander becomes the…

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Ten-run inning turns fourth game of series against Lewis into blowout loss for Hawks

Ben Dahlof | Photo courtesy of QU Athletics

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – A 10-run fourth inning helped the 18th-ranked Lewis baseball team cruise to a 19-9 victory on Sunday over Quincy University to conclude a four-game series. Lewis led 3-0 after one inning. After QU’s Harry Fandre hit his sixth homer of the season in the second, the Flyers answered with three more runs…

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Area scoreboard for Sunday, April 6

Quincy University designated hitter Cole Erickson takes a swing during the final game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference series against Indianapolis on Sunday at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Sunday, April 6: College baseball Quincy University 6, Indianapolis 5 Indianapolis 13, Quincy University 7 Grand View 6, Culver-Stockton College 0 Culver-Stockton College 7, Grand View 6 John Wood Community College 10, Lewis & Clark 3 John Wood Community College 10, Lewis & Clark 2 College softball…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, April 5

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, April 5: Prep baseball Quincy Notre Dame 3, Jacksonville 2 Prep softball Quincy Notre Dame 13, Dundee-Crown 5 Quincy Notre Dame 12, Fenton 3 Payson Seymour 11, Newark 11 Girls soccer Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 3, Quincy Notre Dame 0 College baseball Quincy University 8, Indianapolis 6…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, April 1

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, April 1: Prep baseball Quincy Notre Dame 7, Palmyra 0 Quincy High School 11, Macomb 0 Liberty 13, Southeastern 3 Camp Point Central 14, Pleasant Hill 3  Beardstown 3, Mendon Unity 2 Jacksonville Routt 10, Brown County 5 Pleasant Plains 10, Pittsfield 0 Moberly 5, Hannibal…

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QU’s Mateo, C-SC’s Meier pick up weekly conference honors after strong weekend efforts

Quincy University outfielder Matt Mateo was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week after going 10 for 19 with four home runs last weekend against Drury. | Photo courtesy QU Athletics

QUINCY — A pair of local college baseball standouts earned Player of the Week honors from their respective conferences. Quincy University outfielder Matt Mateo and Culver-Stockton College right-hander Davin Meier picked up weekly accolades from the Great Lakes Valley Conference and the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Mateo helped the Hawks earn a weekend split…

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Camp Point’s Meier carries no-hitter into sixth to help C-SC baseball team sweep Heart doubleheader

Davin Meier, a graduate of Central High School and a native of Camp Point, Ill., didn’t allow his first hit until there was one out in the sixth inning. He walked three and struck out six in earning his first victory of the year. | Photo by Lisa Wigoda coiurtesy of Culver-Stockton College

CANTON, Mo. — Davin Meyer carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning of the first game of a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday, but he needed an RBI single by Ryan Osso in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 1-0 victory over Graceland (Iowa) College at Nichols Field. Clayton Woods…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, March 29

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, March 29: Prep baseball Edwardsville 9, Illini West 0 Pittsfield 7, Lewistown 0 Pittsfield 8, Ridgewood 0 Brown County 6, Camp Point Central 4 Canton 6, Brown County 4 Canton 13, Camp Point Central 2 Hannibal 7, Wright City 1 Warrenton 14, Hannibal 1 Moberly 11,…

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Harrison adjusting to role as starting pitcher, gives Hawks seven strong innings in Friday split

Quincy University left-hander Roman Harrison delivers a pitch during Friday's game against Drury at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Kari Ham, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Roman Harrison is still in the adjustment phase. A back-of-the-bullpen performer since the day he joined the Quincy University baseball program, the junior left-hander made 44 relief appearances before ever being asked to be a starter.  “It’s different for sure,” Harrison said. “I’m not really used to it quite yet, so I just…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, March 28

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, March 28: Prep baseball Kirksville 5, Quincy High School 4 Illini West 15, Clark County 3 Liberty 12, West Hancock 2 Mendon Unity 12, Southeastern 0 Prep softball Pittsfield 2, Camp Point Central 1 Payson Seymour 10, North Greene 0 Rushville-Industry 13, Illini West 0 Girls…

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Area scoreboard for Sunday, March 23

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Sunday, March 23: College baseball Quincy University 8, Rockhurst 6 Mount Mercy 9, Culver-Stockton College 6 Mount Mercy 14, Culver-Stockton College 3 College softball Truman State 5, Quincy University 1 Truman State 6, Quincy University 3 Peru State 4, Culver-Stockton College 3 Peru State 3, Culver-Stockton College…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, March 22

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, March 22: Prep baseball Quincy Notre Dame 5, Quincy High School 4 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 12, Quincy Notre Dame 4 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 7, Quincy High School 5 Pittsfield 13, Havana 3 Pittsfield 14, Havana 12 Payson Seymour 6, North Greene 5 Southern Boone 15, Palmyra…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, March 21

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, March 21: Prep baseball Illini West 14, Bushnell-Prairie City 0 Liberty 12, Winchester West Central 4 Peoria Heights 8, Mendon Unity 5 Mendon Unity 5, Macomb 3 Camp Point Central 9, Payson Seymour 3 Monroe City 5, Sliex 3 Marion County 8, Mark Twain 7 Fort…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, March 18

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, March 18: Prep baseball Liberty 3, Brown County 0 Pittsfield 15, West Hancock 0 Prep softball Liberty 22, Brown County 0 College baseball John Wood Community College 10, Spoon River 0 Spoon River 5, John Wood Community College 4 College softball Columbia College 12, Culver-Stockton College…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, March 17

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, March 17: Prep baseball Illini West 16, Triopia 2 Jacksonville Routt 10, Quincy High School 6 Mercer County 10, West Hancock 0 Prep softball Triopia 2, Illini West 1 College baseball Davenport 18, Quincy University 7 Davenport 9, Quincy University 7 Central Methodist 11, Culver-Stockton College…

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Local scoreboard for Saturday, March 15

QUINCY — Here is the local scoreboard for Saturday, March 15: College baseball John Wood Community College 16, Spoon River 5 John Wood Community College 17, Spoon River 9 Central Methodist 5, Culver-Stockton College 2 Culver-Stockton College 4, Central Methodist 3 College softball Culver-Stockton College 10, Hannibal-LaGrange 7 Culver-Stockton College 8, Hannibal-LaGrange 0

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Woods shuts down Central Methodist in second game as C-SC baseball team splits doubleheader

Clayton Woods | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College

CANTON, Mo. — After giving up two runs on three hits in the first inning, Clayton Woods limited Central Methodist to one run thereafter in a 4-3 victory for Culver-Stockton College in the second game of a Heart of America Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Nichols Field. The victory snapped a five-game…

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Hawks sense big moment coming despite losing two close games to No. 3 Mules

Quincy University sophomore infielder Isaiah Fudge swings at a pitch during the second game of Friday's doubleheader against No. 3 Central Missouri at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Isaiah Fudge senses the Quincy University baseball team is close to turning a corner. “We know we have it in us,” said Fudge, a sophomore infielder. Quincy’s battles with Central Missouri, the No. 3 team in the NCBWA poll, on Friday provided Fudge with his most recent pieces of evidence.  The Hawks had…

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Former QND and QU ace Kirn picks up Big 12 Conference weekly honor

Former Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy University left-hander Griffin Kirn is 2-0 in his first three starts at West Virginia. | Photo courtesy West Virginia Athletics

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Griffin Kirn’s transition to the NCAA Division I level has been smooth. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate and former Quincy University ace is 2-0 in three starts with a 2.04 ERA at West Virginia. Earlier this week, the left-hander was named the Co-Big 12 Pitcher of Week after his shutout of…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, March 1

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, March 1: Girls basketball Class 3 District 6 championship South Shelby 39, Highland 19 Class 2 District 6 championship Canton 61, Milan 35 Class 1 District 10 championship North Shelby 50, La Plata 39 Men’s basketball Quincy University 89, Indianapolis 77 Lincoln Land 75, John Wood…

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Grand entrance: Former QND baseball standout Kindhart belts grand slam in first collegiate at-bat

Maryville redshirt freshman third baseman Brady Kindhart, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, belted a grand slam in first collegiate at-bat Monday against Saginaw Valley State at Weber Field in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy Maryville athletics

ST. LOUIS — Brady Kindhart didn’t know where the baseball ended up after it landed beyond the center field wall. He later found out it was in the perfect hands. Mike Kindhart retrieved what will now be a forever family treasure and a reminder of how his son’s collegiate baseball career began. Monday afternoon, in…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, February 22

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, February 22: Men’s basketball Quincy University 82, Maryville 75 John Wood Community College 78, Illinois Central College 63 Missouri Valley 85, Culver-Stockton College 75 Women’s basketball Maryville 94, Quincy University 86 Illinois Central College 69, John Wood Community 57 Missouri Valley 85, Culver-Stockton College 78 College…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, February 21

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, February 21: Boys basketball Quincy Notre Dame 64, Keokuk (Iowa) 62 Brown County 87, Pleasant Hill 55 Monmouth-Roseville 43, Macomb 37 Palmyra 69, Highland 36 Monroe City 52, Macon 20 South Shelby 60, Higbee 48 Marion County 63, North Shelby 59 Louisiana 72, Mark Twain 49…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, February 15

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, February 15: Boys basketball Quincy High School 66, Jacksonville 49 Palmyra 69, Bowling Green 56 Girls basketball Class 2A Illini West Regional Illini West 43, South County 40 West Hancock 39, Beardstown 29 Class 1A Payson Regional West Prairie 64, Payson Seymour 33 Rushville-Industry 56, Bushnell-Prairie…

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Former QU ace Martin moves one step closer to big leagues as non-roster invitee to Cubs’ spring training

Former Quincy University All-American left-hander Riley Martin reported to Chicago Cubs spring training over the weekend as a non-roster invitee to the big league camp. | Photo courtesy Iowa Cubs

QUINCY — The handyman work that comes with being a first-time home owner isn’t dramatically different from the challenges Riley Martin has experienced during his climb through the Chicago Cubs organization. You assess, game plan and attack. “I’m getting better with lots of trial-and-error stuff,” Martin said of his hammer and screwdriver skills. As for…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, February 7

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Feb. 7: Boys basketball Quincy High School 53, United Township 43 Jefferson City Helias 57, Quincy Notre Dame 45 Liberty 49, Payson Seymour 42 Camp Point Central 56, Rushville-Industry 36 Mendon Unity 76, Southeastern 62 Macomb 67, South Fulton 42 Brown County 69, Pittsfield 36 Pawnee…

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Crim: Former QU baseball coach releases book on his quarter-century spent scouting for MLB teams

The latest book written by former Quincy University baseball coach Jim Pransky chronicles his 25 years spent as a scout for Major League Baseball teams. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — One book is out, another is on the way. Former Quincy University baseball coach Jim Pransky has published a memoir based largely on the 25 years he spent as a scout for five Major League Baseball organizations. In “Baseball’s Test of Spirit: A Man’s Unlikely Odyssey into the Scouting World,” Pransky writes about…

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Former QU All-American Croes will start in American Association All-Star Game

Former Quincy University All-American infielder Dayson Croes will start for the West Division in the American Association All-Star Game on July 23 in Kansas City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Winnipeg Goldeyes

QUINCY — Make it two for two for Dayson Croes. An All-American infielder while playing for the Quincy University baseball team, Croes recently earned his second all-star honor in his second season playing professional baseball. He was named a starter for the West Division for the American Association of Professional Baseball All-Star Game. Croes, who…

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Kasparie sees ‘a lot of opportunity’ to grow his game with Purdue Fort Wayne baseball program

John Wood Community College center fielder Ben Kasparie, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, recently signed with Purdue Fort Wayne, giving the Trail Blazers a pair of NCAA Division I signees. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Engage Ben Kasparie in a conversation about baseball if you get the chance. What you will discover is a player whose appreciation for the craft is as strong as his spirit to compete. “A swing is like painting a picture,” said Kasparie, a graduate of Quincy Notre Dame and John Wood Community College…

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Former QU assistant baseball coach becomes head skipper at NCAA Division II Saint Leo

Image courtesy Saint Leo University athletics

SAINT LEO, Fla. — Josh Keim is climbing the coaching ladder. After four highly successful seasons at Black Hawk College in Moline, Ill., the former Quincy University assistant baseball coach was named the head coach at NCAA Division II Saint Leo University on Friday, replacing Rick O’Dette, who resigned June 13. Keim played for O’Dette…

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Quincy’s Kirn commits to West Virginia to play final season of collegiate baseball

Quincy University left-hander Griffin Kirn, the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, is transferring to West Virginia University with one year of eligibility remaining. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Aside from the genuine interest the West Virginia University coaching staff showed in him, Griffin Kirn found another reason to believe he could succeed pitching for the Mountaineers. He saw what Derek Clark had done. A left-hander who transferred to West Virginia from NCAA Division II Northwood with one year of eligibility remaining,…

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QU’s Simpson receives first-team All-American honors, Palmyra’s Kroeger on second team

Quincy University redshirt junior first baseman Austin Simpson was named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association first-team All-American this week. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Austin Simpson’s ability to get on base was as good as anyone in the nation. The postseason honors he’s accumulating reflect that. The Quincy University redshirt junior first baseman was named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association first-team All-American this week, becoming the seventh first-team All-American in program history. Simpson, a native of…

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Payson’s Loos receives first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors for EIU

Eastern Illinois University senior Lucas Loos earned first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors as a utility player. | Photo courtesy EIU athletics

CHARLESTON, Ill. — The work isn’t done, but the remarkable season Eastern Illinois University’s Lucas Loos has put together didn’t go unnoticed by the Ohio Valley Conference baseball coaches. Loos, a Payson Seymour graduate and former John Wood Community College third baseman, earned first-team All-OVC honors, the league announced Tuesday. Loos was named as a…

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Kirn, Kroeger, Simpson collect All-Midwest Region honors from NCBWA

Quincy University redshirt junior Austin Simpson received first-team All-Midwest Region honors as a utility player and second-team honors as a first baseman. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of Quincy University baseball players and a Palmyra product earned first-team All-Midwest Region honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Hawks left-hander Griffin Kirn and Maryville left-hander Jacob Kroeger were two of the four first-team starting pitchers, while Hawks first baseman/designated hitter Austin Simpson was the first-team utility player. Simpson…

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Palmyra’s Kroeger, Quincy’s Harbin help Maryville win Midwest Regional opener

Maryville left-hander Jacob Kroeger, a Palmyra product, delivers a picth during Thursday's 8-5 victory over Grand Valley State in the NCAA Midwest Regional in Indianapolis, Ind. | Photo courtesy Jared McFarlane, GLVC

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Noah Harbin wasn’t letting the lead slip away twice. The Quincy High School graduate was summoned from the bullpen with one out in the eighth inning Thursday and the Maryville University baseball team clinging to a one-run lead against Grand Valley State in the NCAA Midwest Regional at Greyhound Park. A pair…

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Hawks run out of gas in GLVC championship game, miss chance to make NCAA Tournament

The Quincy University baseball players were left with hugs and tears following Sunday's 11-1 loss to Maryville in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship game at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — Hope lasted about six hours. Following Sunday’s 11-1 loss to Maryville in the championship game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament, the Quincy University baseball players had time before and after a four-plus-hour bus ride home from Mtn. Dew Park to believe they might still get in the NCAA Division II…

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‘I pretty much got every stitch of that ball’: Simpson’s walk-off grand slam sends Hawks into GLVC Tournament title game

Quincy University's Austin Simpson gets a hug from third base coach Chandler Purcell after belting a walk-off grand slam for a 7-5 victory over William Jewell on Saturday in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — The steakhouse Austin Simpson and his parents visited Saturday night had a 12-ounce ribeye on the menu. “I ate the whole thing,” the Quincy University first baseman said. He knew he needed to order it when he saw how it was labeled. “It was actually called ‘The champion,’” he said. How fitting…

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Never count ’em out: Hawks force extra innings, defeat Greyhounds on Simons’ single in 11th

The Quincy University baseball team celebrates its 5-4 victory in 11 innings over top-seeded Indianapolis in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Friday night at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Chris Kirn

MARION, Ill. — Connor Simons hadn’t had an official at-bat in nearly a month as he recovered from a concussion suffered in the final game of the Quincy University baseball team’s regular-season series against Indianapolis. So consider this a little bit of payback for putting him on the shelf. Simons drove a breaking ball on…

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‘I’m not letting go’: QU’s Ortiz makes game-saving, diving catch in bottom of ninth

Quincy University second baseman JD Ortiz made a game-saving, diving catch in short right field to end the ninth inning and force extra innings in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament against top-seeded Indianapolis on Friday night in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — JD Ortiz needs to see a video replay of his diving catch to understand just how catastrophic the play could have been and just how remarkable it truly was. All he knows is he was determined to make the play at all costs. “I’m on the floor and my neck and my…

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Kroeger tosses six scoreless innings, helps Saints win opening-round game of GLVC Tournament

Palmyra product Jacob Kroeger threw six scoreless innings as the Maryville baseball team beat Rockhurst 9-3 in the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday at Mtn. Dew Park in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Maryville athletics

MARION, Ill. — Jacob Kroeger did what an ace does. He got the Maryville baseball team’s pursuit of a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship started on the right foot, even if it happened 24 hours later than expected. The Palmyra, Mo., product threw six scoreless innings Thursday as the second-seeded Saints beat Rockhurst 9-3…

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‘That’s just the greatest feeling ever’: DuPont’s walk-off home run lifts Hawks in extra innings

Quincy University catcher Dustin DuPont follows through after connecting for a walk-off home run leading off the 10th inning of Wednesday's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament opener against Missouri-St. Louis in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — Dustin DuPont took off on a dead sprint toward first base, unsure where the ball he uncorked to right field would actually land. “It hit the back of the bullpen wall, but I thought it hit the fence,” the Quincy University catcher said. “I kind of started taking off a little more…

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Harrison, Hawks weather storm to pick up victory in first round of GLVC Tournament

Quincy University left-handed reliever Roman Harrison reacts to getting out an inning during Wednesday's game against Missouri-St. Louis in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament opener in Marion, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

MARION, Ill. — After left-handed reliever Roman Harrison navigated the top of the 10th inning without worry Wednesday, staff ace Griffin Kirn approached him in the dugout and asked if he was good to go back out for another inning. “I said, ‘No, we’re going to walk it off this inning,’” Harrison said. Not even…

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Hawks’ Kirn receives GLVC Pitcher of the Year honor, while Broughton is league’s top freshman

Quincy University left-handed ace Griffin Kirn was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year in a vote by the league's coaches. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Griffin Kirn proved unbeatable in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. David Broughton became the tone-setter for one of the GLVC’s hottest teams. The league’s coaches couldn’t ignore either player’s success. Kirn, the Quincy University baseball team’s left-handed ace, was named the GLVC PItcher of the Year on Tuesday night by a vote of…

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Schuckman: Relaxed play helps Hawks change outlook, open up world of possibilities

Quincy University pitcher Seth West reacts to getting the final out in the final game of last weekend's series against Illinois-Springield. The Hawks have won 11 of their 13 games heading into the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The game and everything about it felt tedious. None of the Quincy University baseball players will deny that. “When you’re getting your butt kicked, it is a chore,” first baseman Austin Simpson said. A five-run loss in the series finale against the University of Indianapolis on April 14 left the Hawks eight games…

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Punctuating a sweep: Simpson’s homer caps Hawks’ perfect weekend against Prairie Stars

Quincy University first baseman Austin Simpson tosses the ball to pitcher Eli Ecton covering the base for the first out of the sixth inning Saturday at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Austin Simpson knew he couldn’t go home empty-handed or he’d never live it down. His roommates — Dustin DuPont and Adam Lewis — both hit home runs Saturday in helping the Quincy University baseball team build an insurmountable lead in the finale of its Great Lakes Valley Conference series with Illinois-Springfield. So when…

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Photo gallery: Hawks head to GLVC Tournament riding high after perfect weekend

Quincy University senior center fielder Brock Boynton, center, hugs teammate Eli Ecton, right, while Adam Lewis, left, looks on during postgame ceremonies Saturday at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team had reason to celebrate Saturday afternoon. Not only did the Hawks honor the seniors following the final home game of the regular season, but the 21-7 victory over Illinois-Springfield punctuated a weekend series sweep that earned the Hawks the No. 4 seed for the Great Lakes Valley Conference…

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Hawks secure spot in GLVC Tournament with three wins, look to complete sweep

Quincy University left-hander Roman Harrison delivers a pitch in the seventh inning Friday against Illinois-Springfield at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The situations were strikingly similar, the circumstances decidedly different and the outcomes remarkably the same. Credit Logan Mueller and Roman Harrison for each having a little Harry Houdini in their act. Mueller, a sophomore right-handed reliever, was summoned from the Quincy University baseball team’s bullpen with the bases loaded and one out in…

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Photo gallery: QU takes tripleheader, building serious momentum with postseason on horizon

Quincy University shortstop Joe Huffman, left, celebrates his three-run home run, which catapulted the Hawks to a 7-4 victory in the first of three games played Friday against Illinois-Springfield at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team is heading toward the postseason with some steam. The Hawks won three games Friday — the resumption of Thursday’s suspended game and both ends of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader — to secure their spot in the GLVC Tournament. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time…

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Photo gallery: Hawks, Prairie Stars play five innings before thunderstorms shake QU Stadium

Quincy University junior left-hander Griffin Kirn delivers a pitch during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Illinois-Springfield at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — They waited as long as they could. Finally, the Quincy University baseball players had to leave QU Stadium before the threatening skies dumped rain and hail and ruined a Thursday afternoon at the ballpark. The Hawks and Illinois-Springfield were tied at 2 when lightning strikes within 7 miles of the stadium forced the…

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Schuckman: Hawks’ Boynton pours heart, soul, tears into chasing baseball dreams

Quincy University center fielder Brock Boynton, right, celebrates a teammate's home run during a game against Lewis earlier this season at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The emotion spills out in ways Brock Boynton can’t always contain. Sometimes it’s a bat flip that goes a little too high or a little too far. Other times it’s the barbaric yawp everyone hears as he rounds the bases on a home run trot. And every now and then, it’s the toss…

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Huff and puff and blow Bearcats away: Hawks belt eight home runs in GLVC series finale

Quincy University's Joe Huffman, left, celebrates one of his three home runs with teammates Austin Simpson and JD Ortiz as the Hawks beat McKendree 18-10 on Sunday in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Michael Hayeck, McKendree athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — Joe Huffman made certain the Quincy University baseball team went into the final week of the regular season with momentum. Jake Vitale helped ensure that, too. Huffman blasted three home runs Sunday and Vitale jacked two, the second of which gave the Hawks the lead for good in an 18-10 slugfest victory…

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Boynton’s blast highlights epic rally as Hawks earn split with Bearcats in rain-delayed doubleheader

Quincy University center fielder Brock Boynton crushed a go-ahead, three-run home run in the sixth inning of Saturday's second game of a doubleheader against McKendree at Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget, Ill. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

SAUGET, Ill. — The Quincy University baseball team scored eight runs in the sixth inning of game two to earn a split of Saturday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader against McKendree. The Hawks lost the first game 6-3 and rallied in a rain-delayed second game for an 8-6 victory at Grizzlies Ballpark. Weather forced the…

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Around the area: Dance, Trail Blazers sweep twinbill; Pirates, Eagles split doubleheader

John Wood Community College right-hander Tyler Dance won his third consecutive game with Saturday's 8-0 victory over Vincennes University in Vincennes, Ind. | Matt Schuckman photo

VINCENNES, Ind. — Tyler Dance found his footing. The John Wood Community College freshman right-hander threw six scoreless innings Saturday, striking out eight and walking one as the Trail Blazers opened a four-game Mid-West Athletic Conference series with an 8-0 victory over Vincennes University. JWCC also won the nightcap of the doubleheader 14-4. Dance, a…

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QU baseball team’s offense continues hitting late-season stride, batters McKendree in series opener

LEBANON, Ill. — The Quincy University baseball team is doing what a team in contention for a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament berth should be doing. The Hawks are pummeling the bottom feeders. After scoring 36 runs in a four-game sweep of Southwest Baptist last weekend, Quincy opened a four-game GLVC series with McKendree on…

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Crim: Pransky’s baseball journey takes him from coach to scout to author

Josh Rabe, a former Quincy University All-American outfielder and currently the school's athletic director, sits next to Jim Pransky, right, during a signing for Pransky's book "Josh and Josh: Small Towns, Big Leagues" about a decade ago. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — Jim Pransky grew up in a secluded, rural area in northwest Pennsylvania near the New York border. The closest town was two miles away and few other kids were around. So, he threw baseballs at a pitch-back, listened to Yankees games on a transistor radio and voraciously read fictional sports series books by…

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Rally enables Hawks to complete first weekend of sweep of season, continue building momentum

Quincy University catcher Cole Erickson smacked a two-run double as part of the four-run seventh inning as the Hawks rallied for a 10-7 victory over Southwest Baptist on Sunday at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Stephanie Boynton

QUINCY — A rally. A sweep. And a new perspective. That’s what Sunday brought to the Quincy University baseball program. The Hawks erased a six-run deficit, took the lead with four runs in the seventh inning and finished off a 10-7 victory over Southwest Baptist at QU Stadium. With that, Quincy swept the four-game Great…

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Momentun-seizing home runs from Simpson, Broughton catapult Hawks to sweep

Quincy University first baseman Austin Simpson belted a three-run home run during Saturday's sweep of Southwest Baptist at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Austin Simpson and David Broughton put a charge into the Quincy University baseball team’s pursuit of a conference tournament berth. Simpson, the junior first baseman, jacked a three-run home run in the fifth inning of Saturday’s opener game of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader against Southwest Baptist, erasing a two-run deficit and…

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Birthday bonanza: Kirn twirls gem, Hawks’ offense comes alive in victory over Bearcats to open series

Quincy University left-hander Griffin Kirn delivers a pitch during Friday's game against Southwest Baptist at QU Stadium. Kirn struck out eight in the Hawks' 13-1 victory. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Griffin Kirn would have been satisfied with a victory for his 22nd birthday. His performance on the mound became the icing on the cake. Kirn allowed just one run over six innings and struck out eight in the Quincy University baseball team’s 13-1 victory Friday over Southwest Baptist to open the four-game Great…

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Hawks unable to find strike zone or complete sweep of Flyers

Quincy University baseball coach Matt Schissel, right, gives the ball to relief pitcher Logan Mueller in the second inning of Sunday's game against Lewis at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The chance at the first weekend sweep of the season got swept away, all because the Quincy University baseball team found itself playing chase all day. Five Hawks pitchers combined to walk six and hit six batters while allowing 12 earned runs in Sunday’s 14-2 loss to Lewis in the finale of the…

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Photo gallery: Hawks struggle to finish weekend with another GLVC victory

From left, Quincy University's Austin SImpson and Brock Boynton celebrate with teammate Evan Davis after he hit a solo home run in the second inning of Sunday's game against Lewis at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team was unable to string together a third consecutive day of solid pitching and timely hitting, suffering a 14-2 loss to Lewis on Sunday in the finale of their Great Lakes Valley Conference series at QU Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the day at the ballpark…

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Photo gallery: JWCC baseball team drops both ends of doubleheader to Parkland

John Wood Community College third baseman Andrew Srebroski and right-hander Tyler Dance fist bump before the start of an inning during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Parkland. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Field conditions forced the Parkland baseball team to travel to John Wood Community College on Friday, but the Trail Blazers couldn’t take advantage of the home field. The Cobras swept the Mid-West Athletic Conference doubleheader, winning 8-6 and 5-4. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent some time at the ballpark and put…

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QU baseball team excels in all phases to win series finale against Rockhurst

Quincy University right-hander Seth West allowed just one run over five innings in Sunday's 14-2 victory over Rockhurst at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock/QU Athletics

QUINCY — Sunday looked more like the team Quincy University baseball coach Matt Schissel expected to see, not the team that has endured too many ups and downs so far. Seth West allowed one run over five innings, the offense drove the ball into gaps and moved runners, and the defense didn’t commit an error…

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