Gavin Smith tosses one-hit shutout to lead Hilltoppers to 15-0 win over Lanphier

[April 27, 2022]    Gavin Smith (2-0) took the mound at Springfield’s Robin Roberts Stadium on Saturday morning and was spectacular in his outing, blanking the Lanphier Lions 15-0 on just one hit while striking out eight batters over four innings. Smith walked one batter in the game.

The Hilltoppers struck early with four runs in the top of the first inning. Landon’s Smith’s RBI triple scored AJ Bailey with the first run of the game. The Hilltoppers took advantage of walks, a hit by pitch and an error to plate three more runs and take a 4-0 lead.

The Hilltoppers added two more runs in the second inning as Colt Selinger scored on an error and Clay Aylesworth drove in a run. 

Mount Pulaski broke the game open with five runs in the top of the third inning. A two-run single by Aylesworth was the big play of the inning that made the score 11-0.

Mount Pulaski was able to end the game early in the fourth inning. The Lions pitching helped by walking the first four batters. The pitching continued to struggle for Lanphier and with the Hilltoppers scoring runs on a passed ball and two wild pitches, the 15-0 lead was easy to reach.

Gavin Smith recorded two strikeouts and a ground out in the bottom of the fourth inning to seal the 15-0 win for Mount Pulaski. 

The Hilltoppers had six hits versus Lanphier. 

Clay Aylesworth led Mount Pulaski at the plate. Aylesworth was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Jackson Fricke was 1-for-2 with three RBIs. 

Evan Cooper, AJ Bailey and Landon Smith had one hit apiece for Mount Pulaski.

The Hilltoppers improve to 13-3 on the season.

Mount Pulaski will play at Springfield Calvary/Lutheran today at 4:30 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]