High School Boys Baseball
Mount Pulaski hammers MacArthur 16-0
Four pitchers combine for one-hitter

 

[April 07, 2024] 

Mount Pulaski only squeezed one game in last week but they made sure almost every guy in the lineup got a hit.

The Hilltoppers scattered 12 hits throughout six innings and had no trouble shutting down the Generals 16-0.

The scoring started in the top of the second inning with Tyler Cross driving in the first run. He drove home Luke Martin, who started the inning with a double. With the bases loaded, Eric Cooper’s fielder’s choice plated two more runs.

In the top of the fourth inning the Hilltoppers added to their 3-0 lead. Liam Smith walked with the bases loaded to plate one run. Aaron Volle scored on a wild pitch and Eric Cooper crossed home plate on a passed ball to account for two more runs in the inning.

The Hilltoppers turned the 6-0 lead into an 8-0 lead in the fifth inning. After three walks loaded the bases, Martin scored on a passed ball and Cross scored on a single by Cooper.

Eight runs in the top of the sixth inning were enough for Mount Pulaski to board the bus early and head back home on Route 121.

Landon Smith and Chance Payne slugged back-to-back doubles to start off the inning. Payne also stole third and while Franklin Wade was at bat, Cross and Payne pulled off the double steal. Payne’s steal of home put Mount Pulaski up 10-0. Carter Clark’s ground out added another run. With two outs, the Hilltoppers were still able to score five more runs. Cooper added an RBI single and Liam Smith came through with a two-run single to increase the lead to 14-0. Finally, Payne connected for his second double of the inning. This time it was a two-run double to complete the damage.

Payne then took over on the mound to shut down the Generals in the bottom of the sixth inning and complete the 16-0 shut out. He walked one and struck out one.

Luke Martin earned the win for the Hilltoppers. He worked two innings, showing goose eggs in all but the strikeout column. He faced six batters and struck out four of them.

Eric Cooper worked two innings and allowed just one walk and recorded three strikeouts.

Landon Smith also worked an inning in relief and he allowed one hit and one walk.

Landon Smith led the Hilltoppers at the plate. He was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Eric Cooper had a great day at the plate too. He was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs.

Chance Payne was 2-for-5 with a run scored and three RBIs.

Franklin Wade was 2-for-3 with three runs scored.

Liam Smith, Luke Martin and Tyler Cross each had one hit for the Hilltoppers.

The Hilltoppers improved to 9-0 on the season.

Mount Pulaski will play at Cerro Gordo Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

[Teena Lowery]