Hilltoppers get 7-6 walk-off win in
extras over Litchfield
[March 30, 2026]
The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers beat the Litchfield Panthers on
Saturday afternoon in yet another exciting win on Bob Gasaway Field.
The Hilltoppers needed extra innings to earn the 7-6 walk-off win.
Tyler Cross was the hero of the game with the bases-loaded single in
the bottom of the eighth inning. With the time already 1:02 p.m.
Cross must’ve been hungry for his plain hamburger because he wasted
no time jumping on the first pitch, lefty versus righty. Teammates
Preston Cowan, Luke Martin and Aaron Volle filled the bases when
Cross hit a laser shot to center, complete with an impressive bat
flip. With the bat twirling in the air, Cowan trotted home with the
winning run and it was time to celebrate.
Grandparents flew out of their lawn chairs, some players tossed
their helmets on the ground and the rest of the team emerged from
the dugout dashing to meet Cross just past first base to really
celebrate.
Chase Roberts got the win for Mount Pulaski.
Roberts was one of seven pitchers used between the two teams on
Saturday. Roberts started the game behind home plate for the
Hilltoppers but he emerged to take the pitcher’s mound in the top of
the seventh inning with the game tied 6-6. Roberts inherited runners
at first and second and one out. He quickly disposed of the two
batters he faced with a strikeout and a pop out to first baseman
Carter Clark.
Roberts would toss a scoreless inning and two-thirds, recording two
walks and two strikeouts, while getting the win for Mount Pulaski.
This game was exciting from start to finish with both teams putting
runs on the board early and trying to keep pace with each other.
Litchfield scored two runs in the first inning off Mount Pulaski
starter Jaeden Jackson. Two hit by pitches did not work out in
Jackson’s favor but his team bounced back in the bottom of the first
to plate two runs for him.
Mount Pulaski was aided by four walks in the bottom of the first
inning. An RBI single by Tyler Cross scored Mount Pulaski’s first
run of the game. Aaron Volle scored the tying run for Mount Pulaski
on a passed ball.
Litchfield went ahead 4-2 in the top of the second inning on RBI
singles by Ethan Saathoff and Mathew Bywater.
The Hilltoppers tied the game in the bottom of the third inning.
Luke Martin led off the inning with a single to left and Volle
followed with a double to left. Two outs later, Jackson smacked a
line drive to right to drive in Martin and Volle.
In the top of the fourth inning Landon Wernsing scored a run that
put Litchfield up 5-4.
The Hilltoppers started the bottom of the fourth inning with walks
to Tucker Fitzpatrick and Chase Roberts and a single by Preston
Cowan to load the bases. Luke Martin drove the second pitch in his
at-bat to left field for a base hit to score Fitzpatrick and
Roberts. The Panthers escaped the inning without further damage as
the Hilltoppers left the bases loaded after a pop out, walk,
strikeout and fly out.
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Mount Pulaski was able to hold on to the 6-5 lead until the top of
the seventh inning. As if a lead-off walk and single were not enough
trouble, the Panthers scored on a hard hit ground ball that resulted
in an error at third base.
Roberts relieved Martin on the mound and Mount Pulaski avoided
further damage.
The Hilltoppers had only one base runner in the bottom of the
seventh inning thanks to a hit by pitch and could not get any
offense going so the game that started at 10:00 a.m. under chilly
conditions was moving to extras under chilly, yet beautiful sunny
conditions.
The top of the eighth inning was interesting and nerve-wracking.
After a strikeout to start the inning, there was a walk and an
intentional walk issued by Mount Pulaski.
Things worked out well for Hilltoppers coach Troy Burgard and his
team as Litchfield’s Titan Hires swung at the second pitch and the
Hilltoppers turned a double play to end the inning. It was a
beautiful play from Martin at short to Charron covering second to
Clark at first. A real pitcher’s best friend that sent the
Hilltoppers into the bottom of the eighth inning thinking win.
Cowan led off the inning earning a walk on the 3-2 count. Martin
followed with a single to right on an 0-2 count. Litchfield changed
pitchers in the middle of Volle’s at-bat but it didn’t bother the
clean-up hitter, who tagged a 3-2 pitch to right to load the bases.
Mount Pulaski was definitely in a win-win situation with the
bases-loaded and no outs and a lineup ready to deliver. That’s when
Cross came through with his game-winner, sending Mount Pulaski out
to lunch with a 7-6 win.
Every guy in Mount Pulaski’s lineup was on base against the
Panthers, who gave up 12 walks on the day.
Mount Pulaski was led at the plate by Luke Martin. He was 3-for-5
with two RBIs and a run scored.
Aaron Volle was 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored.
Tyler Cross was 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs.
Preston Cowan and Jaeden Jackson also had base hits for Mount
Pulaski.
Jaeden Jackson started the game for the Hilltoppers. He worked two
innings, giving up four runs on four hits. He walked one and struck
out one.
Luke Martin was the middle reliever, tossing four and one-third
innings. He allowed three hits and one earned run. He walked five
and struck out five.
Chase Roberts picked up the win by working the last inning and
two-thirds.
Litchfield used four pitchers in the game.
Ethan Saathoff suffered the loss for the Panthers, who co-op with
Mount Olive.
Mount Pulaski (2-2) will play at Illini Central on Tuesday at 4:30
p.m. Hartsburg-Emden co-ops with the Cougars.
[Teena Lowery]
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