Greyhounds’ Donaldson seizes extra opportunity to spoil final home start for Hawks’ Walker

In his final career start at QU Stadium, right-hander Spencer Walker went 7 2/3 innings while allowing four runs and five hits with nine strikeouts. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Spencer Walker never saw exactly where Luke Napleton caught the fastball or where it crossed the plate. He didn’t think he needed to look. With runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the eighth inning Friday at QU Stadium, the Quincy University senior right-hander felt he’d painted the…

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Walker bounces back with complete command, strikes out 10 in Hawks’ victory over Bulldogs

Quincy University right-hander Spencer Walker struck out 10 and walked none over six innings Friday in a 14-4 victory over Truman State at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Spencer Walker paused as he searched for the most apropos way to describe his mindset when he took the mound Friday afternoon. “I can’t find the word,” he frustratedly said. He needed more than one. “I went out there with a little more of a chip on my shoulder,” Walker said. He pitched…

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Shutout innings from starters, gobble-it-up defense carry Hawks to doubleheader sweep

Quincy University pitcher Spencer Walker, left, gets the forceout at first base to complete a double play in the third inning of Friday's game against Augustana (S.D.) at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy University baseball coach Matt Schissel picked up the walkie talkie used to relay messages to the bullpen but hesitated before hitting the call button. “I was like, ‘Do I say it? Do I not say it? Do I say it? Do I not say it?’” he said. “The whole time I’m thinking,…

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Walker bounces back from disaster in regional to quiet powerful Illinois-Springfield lineup

Quincy University's Spencer Walker throws a pitch during Friday's game against Illinois-Springfield. | Photo courtesy of Max Bennett

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Spencer Walker and Matt Schissel learned the best way to deal with last week’s disastrous ninth inning was to ignore it. Walker, a senior right-handed pitcher from Mapleton, kept one of NCAA Division II’s most prolific offenses in check for seven innings on Friday during the Quincy University baseball team’s 20-6 victory…

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Walker grinds through hot, humid conditions to give Hawks another sterling effort

Quincy University right-hander Spencer Walker delivers a pitch during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament opener against Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. Photo courtesy Max Bennett

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Anything from a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call to Thursday’s rising temperatures could have been what made Spencer Walker feel a little out of sorts. “Something felt off mindset-wise,” the Quincy University right-handed pitcher said. “It just felt a little different. I wasn’t like my usual self.” No one outside the Hawks’…

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Napleton’s home run sets tone for Hawks, Walker slams door shut on opponent yet again

Quincy University catcher Luke Napleton throws the ball back to pitcher Spencer Walker during the second inning of Friday's game against Missouri S&T at QU Stadium. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Luke Napleton raised his right hand to ask for time and stepped backward out of the right-handed batter’s box. The home plate umpire didn’t recognize the Quincy University leadoff hitter’s request and called on a strike on a pitch thrown by Missouri S&T’s Elijah Gross. Momentarily surprised by the call, Napleton regrouped, stepped back…

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Hawks sweep GLVC weekly pitching honors as Walker, Highbarger are rewarded for shutouts

Quincy University senior right-hander Spencer Walker was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The last time Spencer Walker worked at least seven scoreless innings, the Quincy University baseball team’s offense put up so many runs there was no need for him to pitch the final two frames. Last Friday, even with a comfortable lead, the senior right-hander finished what he started. Walker shut out Saginaw Valley…

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Walker befuddles Cardinals’ offense as Hawks open weekend series with shutout

Quincy University's Lance Logsdon, left, celebrates with teammates Gino D'Alessio and Nolan Wosman after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning Friday against Saginaw Valley State. Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Spencer Walker never gave Saginaw Valley State a chance. The Quincy University right-hander held the Cardinals hitless through the first six innings Friday, leaned on his defense to turn double plays in each of the final three innings and guided the Hawks to a 10-0 non-conference victory at QU Stadium. It was Quincy’s…

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Walker’s ability to stay down in zone enables Hawks to take first game from Prairie Stars

Quincy University senior right-hander Spencer Walker worked 8 1/3 innings against Illinois-Springfield on Friday, inducing 12 groundouts as he improved to 4-0 on the season. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Spencer Walker has found a neighborhood where he’d like to stay. That’s down in the zone. The Quincy University senior right-hander thrived there for a majority of Friday afternoon’s series-opening game against No. 13 Illinois-Springfield, enticing the Prairie Stars into 12 groundouts over 8 ⅓ innings in a 7-5 victory at QU Stadium.…

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QU baseball team begins weekend road trip by knocking off No. 8 Columbus State

Quincy University right-hander Spencer Walker worked seven innings in Friday's 15-3 victory at No. 8 Columbus State. File photo courtesy QU athletics

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Although the Quincy University baseball team scored 25 runs in three games in the season’s opening weekend, Hawks coach Matt Schissel felt they could have been more efficient and opportunistic. “We left a lot on the plate offensively,” Schissel said. Despite being stuck inside all week by wintry weather, the Hawks were…

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