Hawks finish tournament with loss to Bearcats

Nick Mertes posted four hits in the first two games of the season in Joplin, Missouri.

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 The Rockhurst Hawks opened the 2019 season with an 0-3 record at the GLVC-MIAA Challenge in Joplin, Missouri.

After dropping their first two games to Washburn (21-2) and Missouri Southern (13-3) on Wednesday, the Hawks fell to Northwest Missouri State by an 8-2 score on Thursday. Rockhurst rallied from a 3-0 deficit to score two runs in the fifth inning. Michael Ruffolo singled home the first run and Tommy Kraus drove home the second run with a single. The Bearcats scored five runs in the ninth.

Grant McNally collected two of the Hawks' five hits. Jack Eisenbarger (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits over the first four innings. Daniel Kohl threw three hitless innings out of the bullpen.

Junior catcher Nic Mertes paced the offense with four hits in the first two games. He went 3-for-3 against Washburn and 1-for-2 versus Missouri Southern. Sophomore left fielder Tommy Kraus batted 2-for-3 against Missouri Southern. Jacob Thigpen and Grant Ruediger took the losses on the mound.

The Hawks next play Trevecca Nazarene and Ashland in the Trojan Classic in Nashville on Feb. 22-24.

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Players Mentioned

#43 Jack Eisenbarger: P; 5' 10"; Junior; L/L

#40 Daniel Kohl: P; 6' 1"; Senior; R/R

#9 Tommy Kraus: P; 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/L

#31 Nic Mertes: C; 5' 10"; Senior; L/R

#1 Michael Ruffolo: 2B; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#19 Jacob Thigpen: P; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#30 Grant Ruediger: P; 5' 11"; Senior; L/L

Players Mentioned

#43 Jack Eisenbarger
: 5' 10"; Junior; L/L
: P

#40 Daniel Kohl
: 6' 1"; Senior; R/R
: P

#9 Tommy Kraus
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/L
: P

#31 Nic Mertes
: 5' 10"; Senior; L/R
: C

#1 Michael Ruffolo
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: 2B

#19 Jacob Thigpen
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: P

#30 Grant Ruediger
: 5' 11"; Senior; L/L
: P