Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 The Hawks baseball team improved to a perfect 24-0 in MWAC play today as they swept the John Wood Blazers. The Hawks entered the weekend with an overall record of 29-8 and a perfect 20-0 MWAC record. After four wins the Hawks improve to an overall record of 33-8 and an MWAC record of 24-0. The Hawks have now swept six straight MWAC series and sit in sole possession of first-place with just two MWAC match-ups remaining.

In game one of the series, the Hawks took an early 9-0 lead and never looked back. The Hawks would score 11 runs and rack up 11 hits in game one as they took home an 11-3 win. The offense was led by sophomore Tyler Brandenburg who would drive in three runs on two hits. Freshmen Ben Hartl and Bobby Atkinson each cranked a homerun in the game, combining for four hits, three RBIs, and four runs scored.

Game one starter, Reese Dutton went four innings for the Hawks allowing just two runs on three hits. THe sophomore struck out four as he earned the win and moved to a perfect 6-0 on the season. Fellow sophomore, Connor Best would come in relief for Dutton, allowing just two hits over three innings of work. Best struck out five and walked just one batter in his appearance. Freshman Mason Telford would record the final three outs for the Hawks while not allowing a base-runner. 

In game two, the Hawks would find themselves training 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning. However, the Hawks would score six unanswered runs to bring home a 6-1 win in game two. Game two starter, Jason Buhl threw three innings for the Hawks giving up just one run and two hits. Buhl fanned six as he picked up his sixth win of the season. Mitchel Sampson would come in relief for Buhl and throw four scoreless innings. Sampson struck out six as he earned his third save of the season. 

Hartl led the offense in game two with three hits. Hartl cranked his second homerun of the day while picking up three RBIs and two runs scored. Atkinson also drove in a pair of runs on two hits. 

On Sunday the Hawks would travel to Quincy for the second half of the weekend series. In game one the Hawks would find themselves trailing 6-0 heading into the third inning. The offense would come alive in the third inning and never look back. The Hawks would score 14 unanswered runs through the final five innings of the game and take home the 14-6 win. The offense was led by freshman, Mason Sawyer, who had a monster day at the plate. In game one Sawyer picked up four hits including two doubles and a homerun. The freshman also added two RBIs and four runs scored. Atkinson and Brandenburg also notched homeruns in the game. Atkinson leads the team with a whopping 14 homeruns so far this season. 

Sophomore Kieran Schmitz came out of the bullpen and threw five no hit innings for the Hawks. The sophomore held the Blazers scoreless as he struck out nine and earned the win on the mound. Schmitz is now a perfect 4-0 on the season. 

In the final game of the series the Hawks would use 15 hits and solid pitching to take home a 15-6 win and earn the series sweep. Sawyer had another massive game at the plate as he would pick up three more hits, including a double. He also chipped in two RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomore Jeremy Figueroa cranked a homerun and a double in the game. The sophomore also added three RBIs and a run scored. 

Teague Conrad started on the bump for the Hawks and threw five innings. The sophomore earned his fourth win of the season as he allowed just six hits and struck out five. Coming in relief for Conrad was freshman, Meade Johnson. Johnson threw the final four innings of the game allowing just one hit and not walking a single batter. Johnson took home the save as he struck out five and did not allow a run. 

Through their 24 conference games, the Hawks have now outscored opponents 268-84. The Hawks final two MWAC match-ups will be with Lincoln Land and Lewis and Clark. 

The Hawks, who were ranked 14th in the NJCAA DII polls last week, will face off against number six ranked Lincoln Land for another four game series this weekend. The Loggers currently sit in second place in the MWAC with an overall record of 27-9 and an MWAC record of 16-3. The first double-header of the weekend will be played on Saturday in Springfield at 1 and 3 PM. The Hawks will host the second half of the series on Sunday. The games are set for 1 and 3 PM and can be streamed HERE

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