Hilltoppers defeat Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond 6-3

[April 06, 2022]  After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first inning Tuesday afternoon at Veterans Park, Mount Pulaski rallied to defeat Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond by a final score of 6-3.

The Hilltoppers chipped away at the lead in the later innings. 

Mount Pulaski got one run in the bottom of the fourth inning and plated three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take over the lead.

An RBI single by Landon Smith and an RBI double by Jackson Fricke allowed the Hilltoppers to tie the game in the fifth inning. Lucas Kuhlman added an RBI single in the inning to give Mount Pulaski the 4-3 lead.

The Hilltoppers scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. AJ Bailey’s RBI single scored Evan Cooper. Landon Smith slugged an RBI double to right field that sent Bailey rushing home with the final run of the game.

The Hilltoppers picked up the 6-3 win with AJ Bailey on the mound. 

Bailey pitched in relief of Jackson Fricke. Fricke was tagged for three runs in the first inning on two hits. He allowed four walks and struck out one batter.

Bailey (1-0) tossed six innings of shutout baseball, allowing two hits, while striking out one batter and walking three batters.

The Hilltoppers had nine hits in the game.

Landon Smith continues to swing a hot bat. Smith was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored. AJ Bailey and Jackson Fricke had two hits for Mount Pulaski. Evan Cooper and Lucas Kuhlman each had one hit.

Mount Pulaski improves to 6-0 on the season.

The Hilltoppers will play at PORTA today at 4:30 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]