Hilltoppers defeat Heyworth 6-5 in walk-off win

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[April 20, 2022]    Mount Pulaski loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning versus Heyworth on Tuesday and with the game tied 5-5, senior Lucas Kuhlman smacked a single to left field and elevated the Hilltoppers to win no. 10 on the season. 

 

The two teams battled back and forth the entire game. 

 

Heyworth carried a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning over Mount Pulaski.

 

The Hilltoppers tied the game in the bottom of the third inning. An RBI single by Landon Smith and a sacrifice fly by AJ Bailey plated the Hilltoppers first two runs.

 

Liam Smith added a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth inning to put Mount Pulaski in front 4-2. 

 

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning, the Hornets stole the lead and jumped in front 5-4 over the Hilltoppers. 

 

Mount Pulaski tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. After two quick outs, Kolin Gibbs and Evan Cooper hit back-to-back singles to start the rally. Gibbs stole third and came racing home with the tying run on a ground ball hit by Liam Smith to the shortstop. The shortstop made an error and Cooper tried to take advantage but he was thrown out at home. 

 

In the bottom of the seventh inning Jackson Fricke and Clay Aylesworth singled and Gavin Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With two outs, all eyes were on Lucas Kuhlman in the batter’s box. Kuhlman’s game-winning hit was a single to left field on 1-0 count, giving Mount Pulaski a 6-5 walk-off win.

 

The Hilltoppers pounded out 10 hits versus Hornets pitching. 

 

Evan Cooper was 3-for-4 with a run scored.

 

Liam Smith, Landon Smith, Jackson Fricke, AJ Bailey, Clay Aylesworth, Lucas Kuhlman and Kollin Gibbs each had one hit apiece for Mount Pulaski. 

 

Gavin Smith (1-0) picked up the win for the Hilltoppers. He pitched the final two innings in relief, shutting down the Hornets on just one hit. Gavin Smith struck out two batters and walked one. 

 

Landon Smith started the game for Mount Pulaski. He tossed five innings, allowing eight hits and five runs. Four runs were earned. Landon Smith struck out six batters and walked two. 

 

The Hilltoppers improve to 10-3 on the season.

 

Mount Pulaski will take on Illini Bluffs in Glasford on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]

 

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