The 2023 Quincy University Hawks baseball team is on an absolute roll this season. The Hawks are currently sitting with a 20-7 record going into the April 8 weekend series against Maryville University which could bump the Hawks into a number 1 spot.

This early success has the Hawks on everyone’s radar being ranked in the top ten for DII in about every list/power ranking there is. After a successful season opener taking two of three against the University of Tampa, a top five program, the Hawks proved that they are a legit national championship contender.

“I thought last year’s team could’ve won it all, but I think this team is even better,” Josh Hempelman said.

Six Hawks in the starting lineup are hitting above .300 and five are slugging over 1.000. Making the Quincy Hawks one of the most dangerous offenses in the nation. Not to mention, QU Stadium is a hitter friendly ballpark and the Hawks already perform well at home making it hard for anyone to travel to QU and play the Hawks.

The Hawks have a handful of standout players in the lineup this year. Gino D’Alessio, shortstop, and Luke Napleton, catcher both received well deserved back to back GLVC players of the week awards recently. D’Alessio is currently hitting .382 with 6 home runs and 26 RBI’s. While Napleton is having a massive year at the plate leading the team with 16 home runs and 42 RBI’s.

“Luke Napleton is insane, it seems like every game I come and watch he hits at least one homer,” John Jennings, sophomore lacrosse player, said.

The Hawks recently played a series against Truman State University at QU Stadium. Over the weekend, Napleton brought in a Kansas City Royals scout who is interested in him. In that game, Napleton went 5-5 with two home runs, 5 RBI’s, and was solid defensively throwing out a runner and showing his athleticism. After the second homer, that scout had seen what he needed to and left.

On top of the Hawks’ dangerous offense, the pitching has been lights out as of late. For the weekend of March 31, 2023 Jay Hammel, Hawks pitcher and undergraduate student was also named GLVC pitcher of the week after posting a career high 12 strikeouts in 7 innings leading to a win over UIS.

Coming off of a good 2022 season, the Hawks are planning on doing some real damage in the GLVC for the rest of the year. With a strong freshman class and a good group of transfers, many are saying the Hawks are even better than last year.

“I got to travel with the team in last years playoffs and I thought that was the best team I’d be a part of. Until I came out this year and saw the lineup they’re putting out, it’s scary to say the least,” Colin FitzGerald said.

The Hawks are approaching the mid-season mark with a very good record, however, the team has made it clear that they are not satisfied and plan to finish stronger than they started.