High School Boys Baseball
The Hilltoppers are Regional Baseball Champs

[June 08, 2021] 

Mount Pulaski won the Class 1A Regional Championship over Decatur St. Teresa by a final score of 3-1 on Monday afternoon at Veteran’s Park.

The Hilltoppers scored a run in the bottom of the first inning with two outs as Landon Smith doubled to left field to drive in Clay Aylesworth. Aylesworth was pinch running for Drew Martin, who had singled in his at-bat. Aylesworth also stole second base, setting up the scoring opportunity with Smith at the plate. Mount Pulaski was off to an early 1-0 lead.

Gavin Smith led off the bottom of the second inning for Mount Pulaski with a double to left field. Garrett Fitzpatrick put down a perfect sacrifice bunt to the pitcher and this allowed Smith to hustle into third. Smith would score on a wild pitch with two outs in the inning. Mount Pulaski was on top 2-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning the Hilltoppers plated another run. A.J. Bailey reached base on an error. Evan Cooper singled to left and Bailey made his way over to third on the play. Bailey would score the Hilltoppers third run on an error by the left fielder. Mount Pulaski carried a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning with starter Drew Martin on the mound.

Martin ran into a little trouble in the top of the seventh inning after allowing a lead off single. The next two batters were both hit by pitches, although one was questionable. Regardless the bases were loaded with no outs and Mount Pulaski was in a jam. The Hilltoppers made a pitching change and Evan Cooper took the mound to finish the game. Cooper allowed a sacrifice fly that scored the Bulldogs only run of the game. Jackson Fricke caught the courtesy runner trying to steal second for out no. 2. Cooper ended the game on a strikeout.

Mount Pulaski escapes further damage and takes the regional title with a 3-1 win over St. Teresa.

Drew Martin earned the win for Mount Pulaski. Martin hurled six innings, allowing one run on two hits. The right-hander struck out 10 batters and walked three.

Evan Cooper earned the save, recording three outs in the seventh inning for Mount Pulaski. Cooper had one strikeout.

Mount Pulaski had eight hits in the game.

Evan Cooper, Drew Martin and Gavin Smith all had two hits apiece. Landon Smith and Grant Davis had one hit apiece.

Mount Pulaski Coach Joel Washko had reason to smile after the win. “I am really proud of the team,” he began. “It was a gutsy win and a team effort. I thought we had great pitching from Drew (Martin) and then Evan (Cooper) came in to save the game in a really tight situation. That was huge. Our defense really came through today. Jackson (Fricke) threw out three guys trying to steal on the bases. And those were rally killers for St. Teresa. We had a couple double plays turned today by Garrett (Fitzpatrick). Offensively, we just did enough to eek one out here and there. It was a real team effort and the win feels good.”

Mount Pulaski improved their season record to 18-1.

The Hilltoppers will begin sectional play on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Park in Mount Pulaski.

[Teena Lowery]