Tri-City/Sangamon Valley defeats Mount Pulaski 2-1 on Senior Night

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[May 13, 2022]    It was an epic pitcher’s duel on Monday afternoon at Veterans Park between two Landons. Landon Smith took the mound for Mount Pulaski and Landon Patton got the nod for Tri-City/Sangamon Valley. Both pitchers reached double-digits in the strikeout category and each allowed limited baserunners. In the end, it was Landon Patton getting the 2-1 win over the Hilltoppers on their Senior Night.

 

The Tornadoes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after putting together a couple singles and getting a little help advancing on the base paths due to a wild pitch. 

 

In the top of the sixth inning, the Tornadoes added another run on two more singles and a wild pitch. 

 

Mount Pulaski cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning. A lead-off walk to Landon Smith started the rally. Smith luckily stole second. He hustled back and forth between bases, almost getting caught in a rundown, but the infielder dropped the ball before being able to tag Smith. Later, Smith would steal third base and come home to score the Hilltoppers run on a wild pitch. 

 

The Hilltoppers were retired 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

 

The Tornadoes take the 2-1 win on Senior Night. 

 

Landon Patton earned the win for the Tornadoes. He struck out 13 Hilltoppers over six and two-thirds innings. He walked four. Patton allowed one run on four hits.

 

Alex Budd pitched to the final batter of the game, retiring Evan Cooper on a fly ball to right field. 

 

Landon Smith took the loss for Mount Pulaski. Smith struck out 10 Tornadoes and walked just one. Smith worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits. 

 

Evan Cooper pitched a scoreless seventh inning in relief, striking out one batter. 

 

Mount Pulaski had four hits in the game. 

 

AJ Bailey had two hits. 

 

Evan Cooper and Chance Payne each had one hit.

 

Payne, a freshman, was playing in his first baseball game of the season after suffering a knee injury during basketball season. Payne was the designated hitter in his high school debut, walking and getting hit by a pitch to go along with his base hit in the game.

 

Mount Pulaski falls to 18-4 on the season.

 

The Hilltoppers will play at Havana on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

 

Prior to the game, seniors Lucas Kuhlman, Brayden Killion and Luke Farris were honored for their years of commitment to the Hilltoppers baseball program.

[Teena Lowery]

 

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