Mount Pulaski defeats Okaw Valley 8-1

[March 29, 2019] 

The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers are on a roll. The boys have won five in a row to start the season and picked up a big win over Okaw Valley on Wednesday afternoon at Veteran's Park. This year the Hilltoppers beat Okaw Valley 8-1 after suffering a 28-5 annihilation a year ago to the Timberwolves. Mount Pulaski is finally able to rely heavily on an outstanding senior class and when you throw in some dangerous underclassmen, good things are bound to happen. 

The Hilltoppers jumped on the Timberwolves for a run in the first inning Wednesday. Ben Fricke's RBI single scored Drew Martin for the 1-0 lead.

The Hilltoppers added three runs in the fourth inning. A two-run single by Lucas Kuhlman highlighted the scoring in that inning.

With Mount Pulaski on top 4-1 heading into the sixth inning, the Hilltoppers took advantage of some shaking pitching from Okaw Valley. A leadoff walk to Tanner Farris got things going. Farris advanced to second on a wild pitch. Grant Davis then reached on an error while Farris sprinted to third base. Jonathan Shehorn walked to load the bases. Austin Killion was hit by a pitch to force in a run. A fielder's choice allowed Mount Pulaski to score again in the inning. Martin finished things off with a run-scoring single to left field to give Mount Pulaski a 7-1 lead.

The Hilltoppers added one more run in the seventh inning after Fricke led off with a double. His courtesy runner, Luke Farris, took third on a passed ball and came around to score on Davis' single. Mount Pulaski takes the 8-1 win easily over Okaw Valley.

Mount Pulaski's starting pitcher, Logan DeRight, was lights out versus Okaw Valley. He went the distance and earned the win. DeRight allowed just two hits and struck out 10 batters. He issued one walk and the only run scored by the Timberwolves was unearned. 

Mount Pulaski head coach Joel Washko is pleased with his team's 5-0 start and said his team has bigger goals for the season.

"We also have to stay humble," said Washko. "This group has been very motivated up to this point to make their mark. We have had really stellar pitching and defense and the last couple games our bats have come around some too. We can't be satisfied with just having a great start to the season. We want to continue to get better everyday and continue moving toward playing our best baseball come May."

Mount Pulaski started a game with Decatur LSA Thursday afternoon, but after four innings the game was suspended due to rain. Mount Pulaski was leading that game 6-0. 

The Hilltoppers are scheduled to play a doubleheader at Decatur Eisenhower Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. 

[Teena Lowery]

Mt. Pulaski  

Lineup	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Todd Kelly	4	0	1	1	0	0
Drew Martin	4	1	2	1	0	1
Logan DeRight	4	0	0	0	0	1
Ben Fricke	3	1	2	1	0	0
Tanner Farris	2	1	0	0	1	1
Grant Davis	4	2	1	1	0	1
Jonathan Shehorn	2	2	0	0	2	1
Austin Killion	1	0	0	2	0	1
Dawson Combs	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lucas Kuhlman	4	0	1	2	0	2
Luke Farris	0	1	0	0	0	0
Totals	28	8	7	8	3	8

Batting2B: Ben Fricke 
TB: Grant Davis, Ben Fricke 3, Drew Martin 2, Todd Kelly, Lucas Kuhlman 
RBI: Austin Killion 2, Grant Davis, Ben Fricke, Drew Martin, Todd Kelly, Lucas Kuhlman 2 
ROE: Grant Davis 
FC: Grant Davis, Todd Kelly 
HBP: Dawson Combs, Austin Killion 2, Ben Fricke, Tanner Farris 
SB: Drew Martin 2 
PIK: Todd Kelly 
TotalsTeam QAB: 15 (41.67%) 
Jonathan Shehorn 2, Austin Killion, Grant Davis, Logan DeRight, Ben Fricke 3, Drew Martin 3, Todd Kelly 2, Tanner Farris, Lucas Kuhlman 

Team LOB: 7FieldingE: Ben Fricke, Drew Martin 

Okaw Valley

Lineup	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
E Hagerman	3	0	0	0	0	1
S Hagerman	3	0	1	0	0	1
Coleman	2	0	0	0	1	0
McGill	3	0	0	0	0	3
Montgomery	3	0	0	0	0	1
Miller	2	0	0	0	0	1
Yowell	1	0	0	0	0	1
Sharp	2	0	0	0	0	1
Nichols	1	0	0	0	0	1
Roley	2	0	0	0	0	0
Russell	2	1	1	0	0	0
Totals	24	1	2	0	1	10

Batting2B: Russell 
TB: S Hagerman, Russell 2 
ROE: Russell 
TotalsTeam QAB: 7 (28.00%) 
E Hagerman 2, S Hagerman 2, Coleman, Roley, Russell 

Team LOB: 3FieldingE: Russell 

Mt. Pulaski

Pitching	IP	#P	S%	H	R	ER	SO	BB	HR
Logan DeRight	7.0	89	.640	2	1	0	10	1	0
Totals	7.0	89	.640	2	1	0	10	1	0

PitchingW: Logan DeRight 
Pitches-Strikes: Logan DeRight 89-57 
Groundouts-Flyouts: Logan DeRight 3-8 
First pitch strikes-Batters faced: Logan DeRight 13-25 

Okaw Valley

Pitching	IP	#P	S%	H	R	ER	SO	BB	HR
Montgomery	4.0	64	.641	4	4	4	5	1	0
E Hagerman	1.0	21	.429	0	3	1	0	2	0
S Hagerman	2.0	31	.710	3	1	0	3	0	0
Totals	7.0	116	.621	7	8	5	8	3	0

PitchingL: Montgomery 
HBP: E Hagerman, S Hagerman, Montgomery 3 
WP: E Hagerman 
Pitches-Strikes: E Hagerman 21-9, S Hagerman 31-22, Montgomery 64-41 
Groundouts-Flyouts: E Hagerman 0-3, S Hagerman 1-1, Montgomery 1-4 
First pitch strikes-Batters faced: E Hagerman 5-7, S Hagerman 8-10, Montgomery 14-19