[May 15, 2012]    

Mount Pulaski defeated Tri-City 7-4 in regional action Monday afternoon at Veterans Park in Mount Pulaski. With the score tied at 3-3 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Toppers managed to put four runs on the board. To get things started for the Toppers in the fifth inning, Jordan Luczaj reached on an error, followed by a line-drive single by Drew Houser and walk by Ty Litterly to load the bases. Kyle Przykopanski followed with a two-run single to put the Toppers on top. Litterly advanced to third on Przykopanski's hit and then scored on a balk by the Tri-City pitcher. Shawn Knauer added a single in the inning to drive in the Toppers' final run.

On the mound, starting pitcher Michael Lowery struck out seven batters and allowed three hits before getting in a little fifth-inning trouble due to a Topper fielding error. He was relieved by Drew Houser, who pitched the final 1 1-3 innings to earn his first save of the season. The Toppers advance to the semifinals against Delavan in the Springfield Lutheran Regional on Wednesday.

Story and pictures by Teena Lowery

Winning pitcher Michael Lowery struck out seven Tri-City batters in 5 2-3 innings.

 

Kyle Przykopanski drove in the go-ahead runs with this two-run single in the Toppers' fifth inning.

Junior Bowen Casper got quite a workout behind home plate. Casper was catching for the first time since he played Mustang League baseball.

 

Freshman Michael Lowery allowed only three hits while earning his second victory of the Topper baseball season.
 

Senior Drew Houser pitched the final 1 1-3 innings to earn his first save of the season. Here Houser does his ritual "kick the chalk" dance in celebration of the team's regional victory.