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

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 games to be moved to the turf field, which is the home of the Frontier League’s Gateway Grizzlies.

The Hawks trailed 3-0 entering the top of the sixth inning of the nightcap. After the first three batters reached safely, QU’s Jake Vitale was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run. Pinch-hitter Charlie Allison tied the game with a two-run double. Brock Boynton followed with his eighth home run of the season, a three-run shot down the right-field line to give the Hawks a 6-3 lead.

Joe Huffman and JD Ortiz drove in the final runs of the inning with two-out singles.

Trailing 8-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Bearcats put together a rally following a 30-minute rain delay. They scored three runs on just two hits by taking advantage of a walk and two hit batters and got the potential winning run to the plate, but Ben Draeger induced a ground out to end the game.

Huffman went 3 for 4 and Ortiz 2 for 4 as the Hawks collected nine hits.

In the first game, McKendree tagged Quincy starter Kobe Essien for six runs and eight hits over the first three innings. He struck out four and walked two. Kyle Manship threw three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out one and walking none, to give the Hawks a chance.

Trailing 6-1 heading into the top of the seventh, the Hawks tried to mount a rally. Huffman led off with a double and scored on Vitale’s two-out, two-run home run. The rally ended there. Huffman finished with two of the Hawks’ five hits.

Quincy (20-25, 17-14 GLVC) heads into Sunday’s series finale with the chance to move into a tie for fifth place in the GLVC. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the league’s postseason tournament. QU wraps up the regular season at home next weekend against Illinois-Springfield.