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 The Toppers, who were hoping to avenge an earlier season 15-7 loss
to the Lions, scored one run in the first inning on an RBI double by
Beau Collier. Mount Pulaski added three more runs in the bottom of
the third on Lowery's two-run triple and an RBI double by Matt
Amidon.
But the Lions' bats came alive in the fourth inning and they struck
for two runs off starter Blake Collier to cut the lead in half, 4-2.
In the fifth inning the Lions scored two more runs after two hit
batters came around to score on a single and the game was tied at
4-4.
In the bottom of the fifth the Toppers were able to get those runs
back after Lowery doubled and then Amidon nailed a line drive to
right field that was good, an inside-the-park home run thanks to the
speed of the team's leading base stealer.
The top of the sixth inning began with the Lions' first batter
reaching first base on an infield hit, but then Lowery turned the
double play, and the Topper fans came alive. That moment was
short-lived as the next batter doubled for LSA and he came around to
score on a single, narrowing the lead to 6-5.
The top of the seventh saw LSA threatening again as a bad-hop single
got past third base and then a triple tied the game.
Lowery came on to pitch in relief of Collier with no outs in the
seventh and a runner at third. As the next batter hit the ball to
third baseman Brett Huff, Huff quickly threw home and caught the
runner trying to score. Catcher Beau Collier then fired down to
first and got the baserunner, who had taken a big turn at first,
out. Lowery then struck out the next batter and with a 6-6 tie going
in the Toppers seventh, things were looking good for Mount Pulaski.
With one out, Lowery just beat out an infield single, much to the
dismay of the LSA crowd. He was able to steal second base but was
left stranded when Beau Collier popped out and Amidon struck out.
Moving to extra innings, Lowery again took the mound and things did
not go well for the senior, who had been struggling lately with arm
issues. A walk and two hits quickly gave LSA the 7-6 lead. An
intentional walk issued loaded the bases and the next batter slapped
one just past the infield to make the score 8-6. Finally, a bases
clearing triple chased Lowery out of the game and gave the Lions an
11-6 lead.
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Brett Huff would take the mound in relief of Lowery,
who had not recorded an out in the inning. Huff would record two
strikeouts in the inning, but a wild pitch would lead to the Lions
scoring yet another run and taking a commanding 12-6 lead into the
bottom of the eighth inning. Aaron Durchholz reached base on an
error for the Toppers in the bottom of the eighth inning but pinch
runner Dixon Aylesworth and Eli Griesheim, who had walked, would be
stranded on base as Blake Collier struck out to end the game and the
Toppers season.
Coach Joel Washko was somber after the 12-6 loss. "We got a few big
plays and couldn't back it up with another good play. We could have
used a few more key hits early, but that's kinda how the year went."
Still Washko was pleased with this group of guys having back-to-back
winning seasons, something Topper baseball had not experienced for a
while.
Mount Pulaski managed just six hits in their final game of the 2015
season and finished with 13 wins and 12 losses.
Lowery finished his Topper career by going 3-3 with a walk and two
RBIs, Amidon's last game in the purple and gold home uniform was a
respectable 2-4 with a double, home run and 3 RBIs, while Beau
Collier, who truly had an amazing senior season both behind the
plate and at the plate, finished 1-4 with an RBI.
Decatur LSA advances to the next round of the regional and will play
Leroy Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
[Teena Lowery]
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