2012 baseball post season

The Rockhurst Hawks are returning to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the sixth time since 1999 under head coach Gary Burns. The Hawks opened play in the Midwest Regional on Thursday against Grand Valley State in Ypsilanti, Mich.

“We are competing at a high level right now,” said Burns, whose Hawks advanced to the 1999 College World Series in their first year as an NCAA Division II program. “We have lived up to our expectations so far this season in earning a bid into the national tournament. We also have a goal of getting to the College World Series”

Burns, who revived the Rockhurst baseball program in 1994, reached the 600-victory milestone on May 6 when the Hawks closed out the regular season with a 5-3 win over Illinois Springfield. He holds a 602-410 career record heading into the NCAA Tournament.

“Reaching 600 wins represents a lot of great young men and great memories over the years,” said Burns, who also serves as the director of athletics for the Hawks.

“Having a good season makes getting to 600 wins even more meaningful,” added Burns. “I’ve had a tremendous 19 years at Rockhurst. This has been a great place for me.”