| In the top of the first inning, it was the no. 
				3 hitter, Landon Smith, sending the ball over the left field 
				fence for a solo home run. Jackson Fricke, Liam Smith and Clay 
				Aylesworth followed with consecutive singles and the Hilltoppers 
				had plated another run to take a 2-0 lead.
 In the top of the second inning, Cooper added a fielder’s choice 
				to score a run and make the score 3-0.
 
 The Hilltoppers plated two more runs in the top of the third 
				inning, with the Panther’s pitching helping out via three walks 
				and an error.
 
 In the top of the fourth inning, the Hilltoppers scored three 
				more times to take an 8-0 lead. Lucas Kuhlman’s single to center 
				allowed two of the runs to score.
 
 In the top of the fifth inning, a sacrifice fly by Jackson 
				Fricke increased the lead to 9-0.
 
 The Hilltoppers added three more runs in the top of the sixth 
				inning. Landon Smith and Clay Aylesworth had RBI singles in the 
				inning and Fricke had another sacrifice fly for Mount Pulaski.
 
 Cooper took the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning and once 
				again held the Panthers scoreless.
 
 The Hilltoppers won by a final score of 12-0.
 
 Evan Cooper (4-2) earned the win for Mount Pulaski. Cooper 
				tossed 79 pitches in six innings of work. He allowed seven hits 
				and struck out six batters. He walked one batter.
 
 Landon Smith led the Mount Pulaski offense with a 4-for-4 
				performance at the plate. Smith scored two runs and drove in two 
				runs. His home run in the first inning was his third of the 
				season, tying Jackson Fricke for the team lead.
 
 Clay Aylesworth was 3-for-4 for Mount Pulaski. He drove in two 
				runs and scored a run.
 
 Jackson Fricke and Lucas Kuhlman each had two hits for Mount 
				Pulaski.
 
 AJ Bailey and Liam Smith each had one hit for Mount Pulaski.
 
 Mount Pulaski improved their record to 16-3.
 
 The Hilltoppers will host Cornerstone Christian today at 4:30 
				p.m. at Veterans Park.
 
 [Teena Lowery]
 
			 |  |