Hilltoppers fall to Havana 9-8 - hot-hitting Ben Fricke crushes two home runs

[May 10, 2018] 

The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers continue to be competitive and despite coming up just short in the scoring column from time to time this season, the young team shows a lot of promise. On Wednesday afternoon the Hilltoppers traveled to Havana to take on the Ducks. While the Ducks won out in the end by a score of 9-8, it was the Hilltoppers connecting for three impressive home runs on the afternoon.

Ben Fricke absolutely positively annihilated the baseball for two home runs good for four RBIs and Tanner Farris "hit a missile for a home run" according to Coach Joel Washko. These boys are so much fun to watch. The entire team is just entertaining. Good baseball here.

On Wednesday it was Todd Kelly taking the mound against the Ducks and while they hit him up for three runs in the bottom of the second inning, the Hilltoppers stormed back for a four-run third inning. Havana tied it up in the third inning and jumped ahead by a run in the fourth inning.

In typical teeter-totter fashion, the Hilltoppers tied the game in the fifth inning. The bottom of the fifth inning would prove to be the difference-maker.

Havana took a 6-5 lead heading into the top of the sixth inning and while the Hilltoppers plated three runs in the sixth, so did the Ducks. Mount Pulaski could not mount a comeback in their half of the seventh inning and the Ducks took this one 9-8.

For those wondering where the name Logan DeRight is in all this scoring for Mount Pulaski. The standout junior for Mount Pulaski had surgery on a broken ankle last week and will obviously be out six to eight weeks from baseball.

Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers lineup put together a respectable day offensively beginning with lead-off man Todd Kelly going 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Drew Martin was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs from the no. 3 spot.

Martin continues to add to his extra-base hit tally on the season by adding another double.

Fricke's big day at the plate was pretty simple from the cleanup spot: Two dingers good for four RBIs and two runs scored. He's making it look easier than it is.

Farris was a solid 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI while batting from the no. five hole. He slugged a double to go along with his home run. And finally it was Ian Schneider going 1-for-4 to help the Hilltoppers cause.

On the mound Todd Kelly tossed five and one-third innings. Kelly allowed six hits and eight runs. He struck out four Ducks and walked four Ducks.

Tanner Farris pitched the final two-thirds inning in relief and allowed two hits and one run. Farris struck out a Duck while getting the tough break in the loss column.

Mount Pulaski's record is now en even 11-11 while Havana improves to 14-4.

Coach Joel Washko has the right attitude and he passes along this trait to his team. His comments are right on target and will undoubtedly help the Hilltoppers face regionals next week.

"We fought hard today, but just needed to make a couple more plays in the field," said Coach Washko. "We looked pretty good offensively and I thought Todd Kelly pitched better than his final line showed. Ben Fricke continued to swing the bat extremely well with two towering home runs. It was also good to see Tanner Farris swing the bat well today. He hit a missile for a home run over the right field fence and Drew Martin had a big two-run double. It was good to play a close game against a good team, but we should continue to strive to be on the right side of those close games."

Before regionals begin next week the Hilltoppers have one more regular season game left. Mount Pulaski travels to Warrensburg on Friday afternoon to take on the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals. Game time is 4:30 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]