The Hilltoppers never trailed in the game and went on to defeat
the Hawks 7-3.
Landon Smith and Liam Smith each drove in a run in the top of
the first inning to give the Hilltoppers a 2-0 lead. Landon
Smith’s sacrifice fly drove in AJ Bailey while Liam Smith
singled to drive in Evan Cooper.
The Hilltoppers increased their lead to 4-1 in the top of the
third inning. Jackson Fricke singled to drive in Landon Smith
with one run. Clay Aylesworth’s ground out scored Colt Selinger
with the other Mount Pulaski run.
The Hilltoppers plated two more runs in the top of the fourth
inning on three walks, a bunt single, a wild pitch and a passed
ball.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Hawks made it a 6-3
ballgame.
Fricke’s RBI double in the top of the sixth inning drove in the
Hilltoppers final run
The Hawks were retired easily in their final six at-bats and the
Hilltoppers went on to claim the 7-3 win.
In fact, the Smith brothers, Gavin and Liam, combined to retire
the side on strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Gavin Smith (3-0) picked up the win for Mount Pulaski. Smith
tossed six and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on three
hits. All of the runs were unearned. He struck out 11 batters
and walked five.
Liam Smith tossed five pitches to the last Hawks batter in the
seventh inning, recording a strikeout to end the game.
Jackson Fricke led the Hilltoppers offense. Fricke was 2-for-4
with two RBIs.
AJ Bailey, Evan Cooper, Landon Smith, Liam Smith and Lucas
Kuhlman each had a hit for Mount Pulaski.
The Hilltoppers record improved to 17-3.
Mount Pulaski will host Athens on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Game
time is set for 4:30 p.m.
Note: Brian Snitker is the manager of the 2021 World Champion
Atlanta Braves. Snitker was a member of the 1971 Macon Ironmen,
who finished second in the 1971 IHSA State Baseball Tournament.
Snitker also played baseball at Lincoln College.
[Teena Lowery]
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