Former QU ace Spraker earns victory out of bullpen for Great Britain in World Baseball Classic

Former Quincy University right-hander Graham Spraker is pitching for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic. Spraker retired eight batters in a row Monday and earned the victory in relief as Great Britain beat Colombia 7-5 at Chase Field in Phoenix. | Photo courtesy Phrake Photography

QUINCY — The Fox Sports 2 broadcast team handling the play-by-play of Monday’s World Baseball Classic matchup between Colombia and Great Britain pointed out multiple times the number of professional scouts in attendance. If any are looking for a right-handed reliever, Graham Spraker may have piqued their interest. The former Quincy University ace came out…

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Two QU baseball products sign professional contracts

Former Quincy University right-hander Graham Spraker signed a minor league contract last week with the Tampa Bay Rays. | Photo courtesy Buffalo Bisons

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University baseball players recently signed professional contracts. Right-handed reliever Graham Spraker is getting the chance to restart his career with a new organization, while slugging infielder Dayson Croes is just beginning his pursuit. Spraker signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays last week and was…

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Minor league report: Ray earns first victory with Cannon Ballers, while Martin piles up strikeouts

Former Quincy Notre Dame multi-sport athlete Johnny Ray earned his first victory with the Class Kannapolis Cannon Ballers last week, striking out seven over five innings in a 5-1 victory against the Down East Wood Ducks in the Carolina League. Photo courtesy MiLB Photographer Tiffany Wintz

QUINCY — A trio of minor league pitchers with Quincy ties enjoyed a stellar week as the season is starting to find some rhythm. In the Class A Carolina League, Quincy Notre Dame graduate Johnny Ray made his first start last Saturday night and earned his first victory for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, an affiliate…

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College notebook: Surprenant resigns at WIU, Spraker goes to Blue Jays spring training, Hawks’ Lewis in top 10 at nationals

The news came as a surprise on many fronts when it was released late last Friday afternoon that Danielle Surprenant was resigning as the Western Illinois University athletic director. “We thank Danielle for her service to the University and for her leadership in Leatherneck athletics,” WIU President Guiyou Huang said in a press release. “We…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Former Quincy University pitcher Graham Spraker

Former Quincy University right-hander Graham Spraker was named the Arizona Fall League Reliever of the Year while pitching for the Mesa Solar Sox. Photo courtesy Mesa Solar Sox

Graham Spraker reinvented himself as a pitcher and could find himself pitching in the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen in the near future. The former Quincy University right-hander, who was a 31st round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2017 after leading the Hawks to the NCAA Division II World Series, is coming off an…

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Former QU hurler Spraker to pitch in Arizona Fall League all-star game

Former Quincy University right-hander right-handed pitcher Graham Spraker has been named an Arizona Fall League all-star and will play in Saturday’s Fall Stars game. Photo courtesy Kristin Basnett, New Hampshire Fisher Cats

QUINCY — Graham Spraker is about to get some prime-time attention. The former Quincy University right-handed pitcher has been named an Arizona Fall League all-star and will play in Saturday’s Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz., which is the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The game…

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