Toppers lose the pitcher's duel 1-0 in Athens

[May 07, 2015]  MOUNT PULASKI - It was a pitcher's duel the entire game with Athens' pitcher Tod Carter going up against the Toppers' Blake Collier. Carter pitched seven innings and only allowed two hits, while Collier went six innings and struck out six batters. Carter helped his cause with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning for the only run of the game.

While Carter pitched a masterpiece, Collier pitched a near-gem himself. Mount Pulaski coach Joel Washko was pleased with Collier's performance. "Blake had a fantastic game on the mound. Unfortunately we were not able to capitalize on opportunities offensively. As a team we did not put together very good at bats and did not make things challenging for their pitcher. Blake definitely pitched more than well enough for the win."

The Toppers only two hits came from Michael Lowery. Lowery, a teammate of Carter's in the summer and fall leagues, got a solid base hit off the right-hander in the fourth inning and his missile shot right back towards the mound in the sixth inning nearly hit Carter in the head. Carter got a glove up quickly and almost caught it. Thankfully no harm was done as Lowery reached first base and the two friends exchanged pleasantries.

In the meantime, Lowery also stole a base hit from Carter as he leaped into the air to snag a line drive at short from his buddy. In the end though, it was Carter who would go home with the game ball, having pitched a complete game two-hit shutout over the Toppers.

The Toppers fall to 13-10 and will travel to Tremont today to take on the Turks at 4:30 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]