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				Cooper (5-2) pitched the complete game versus Athens, allowing 
				one run on seven hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked none. 
				Cooper only threw 98 pitches in the game.  
				
				  
				
				The Hilltoppers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With two 
				outs, Landon Smith took first base on a hit by pitch and Jackson 
				Fricke followed with a single to left field. The next three 
				batters, Liam Smith, Clay Aylesworth and Gavin Smith each 
				walked, forcing in two runs for Mount Pulaski.  
				
				  
				
				The Hilltoppers 2-0 lead was threatened in the fifth inning by 
				the Warriors. After two quick strikeouts, Athens came up with a 
				double and a single to score a run. The Warriors left the tying 
				run stranded at third base as Cooper induced a ground out for 
				the third out.  
				
				  
				
				The Hilltoppers scored a couple insurance runs in the bottom of 
				the fifth inning. Back-to-back walks to Cooper and Landon Smith 
				to start the inning were a plus. Both players were able to 
				advance around the base paths quickly via steals and a wild 
				pitch, with Cooper even scoring on a steal of home. Fricke also 
				added a sacrifice fly to score Smith and make the score 4-1. 
				
				  
				
				Once again, Cooper sat down the batters in order in each of the 
				sixth and seventh innings. He actually struck out the side in 
				the seventh inning in impressive fashion. 
				
				  
				
				Mount Pulaski won the Tomahawk Conference game by a final score 
				of 4-1.  
				
				  
				
				The Hilltoppers won the game on just two hits. The Warriors did 
				allow six walks in the game.  
				
				  
				
				Jackson Fricke had a single and Liam Smith crushed a double that 
				nearly left the park.  
				
				  
				
				The Hilltoppers finish the Tomahawk Conference with a record of 
				4-2.  
				
				  
				
				Overall the Hilltoppers improved to 18-3 on the season. 
				
				  
				
				Mount Pulaski is scheduled to play Cornerstone Christian today 
				at 4:30 p.m. at Veterans Park. 
			[Teena Lowery] |