HAWKS PITCHERS DOMINATE NO. 23 KIRKWOOD TO BEGIN POSTSEASON PLAY THURSDAY

CARROLL, Iowa – The Northeast Community College baseball team began postseason play in the Region 11 Tournament Thursday with a showdown against No. 23 Kirkwood Community College in Carroll, Iowa. The Hawks took the matchup by a final score of 7-1 to stay on the winning side of the tournament bracket.

Northeast (32-25, 17-16 ICCAC) started quick during the ballgame as they put up three first-inning runs against the nationally-ranked Eagles. The pitching staff got it done for the Hawks in the contest as Caden Rezac (Ogallala, Neb.) tossed four innings and allowed just one hit while striking out nine as the Northeast starter. The Hawks then gave the ball to Jay Coughlin (Omaha, Neb.) for an inning as he also did not allow a hit and then Max Denson (Broken Bow, Neb.) finished the ballgame as he pitched four innings, allowed just two hits and struck out six batters.

At the plate, Brady Fitzpatrick (Bellevue, Neb.) picked up three hits and recorded two RBIs while Kale Jensen (Central City, Neb.), Ian Shaw (Ogallala, Neb.) and Trenton Barry (Wahoo, Neb.) also tallied RBIs. The Hawks will turn around and get back after it tomorrow against No. 2 seed Iowa Central Community College at 12 p.m.

STAT SHEET:

Brady Fitzpatrick (Bellevue, Neb.): 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI

Caden Rezac (W) (Ogallala, Neb.): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 9 K

Max Denson (Broken Bow, Neb.): 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 K

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Baseball Coach Marcus Clapp on the victory from his team Thursday:

"Obviously, it was a big win!" Clapp said. "Caden Rezac and Max Denson threw well. We had 16 strikeouts on the day. Offensively, I thought we did a good job of attacking. It was just a great team win. We have an opportunity to take care of business tomorrow!"

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will be back in action at 12 p.m. tomorrow at Merchants Park in Carroll, Iowa against No. 16 Iowa Central Community College.

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