High School Boys Baseball
A walk-off win: Mount Pulaski edges Spartans 6-5

 

[April 22, 2024] 

Luke Martin has done it again! The sophomore had the game-winning hit for Mount Pulaski on Friday night as the Hilltoppers came from behind in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the Springfield Southeast Spartans 6-5.

The Hilltoppers trailed the Spartans by two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning when a two-run double by Chance Payne tied the game 5-5. Martin singled to center on a 3-1 count and that scored Payne with the winning run for the Hilltoppers.

Martin started on the mound for Mount Pulaski and he gave up two runs in the first inning. After a lead-off walk, the Spartans scored their first run of the game on a triple. A walk and a single later led the Spartans to score their second run of the game.

Mount Pulaski scored their first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Preston Cowan in the second inning.

The Spartans had another run-scoring triple in the third inning to stretch the lead to 3-1.

The Spartans enjoyed a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning after a two-run double by Jaxon Cook.

The Hilltoppers fared better in the late innings, scoring two runs in the sixth inning and three runs in the seventh inning.

Landon Smith led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double and he scored on a single by Payne. Martin’s single to right advanced the courtesy runner, Kolin Gibbs, to second base. A wild pitch allowed both Gibbs and Martin to advance bases. Franklin Wade’s sacrifice fly scored Gibbs to make the score 5-3.

After a walk and single posed a threat in the top of the seventh inning, Payne struck out the final three batters for the Spartans and kept the Hilltoppers hopes alive.

After one out, the Hilltoppers executed their game plan in the bottom of the seventh inning. Liam Smith singled to center and wisely advanced to second on an error. He would steal third base and wait and see what Landon Smith would do in the batter’s box. Landon Smith reached base on a dropped third strike, but Liam Smith had to hold at third. Payne was looking to do damage when he stepped into the batter’s box and he did not disappoint the Mount Pulaski crowd. Payne sent a 2-2 count to center for a double and he tied the game. This allowed Martin his moment.

Martin’s first walk-off of the season was back on March 19th versus Nokomis when he hit a two-run home run to win the game.

On Friday, Martin’s second game-winning hit of the season was just as dramatic. His hard-hit grounder scooted into centerfield quickly and scored Payne with the winning run!

Mount Pulaski’s timely hitting allowed the Hilltoppers to come from behind and defeat Southeast 6-5.

The trio of Landon Smith, Chance Payne and Luke Martin did the most damage on the day for Mount Pulaski.

Landon Smith was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Chance Payne was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and one run scored.

Luke Martin was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Liam Smith and Preston Cowan each had a hit for Mount Pulaski.

Chance Payne (6-0) picked up the win for Mount Pulaski in relief. He tossed the final two innings, allowing two hits and one walk. He struck out five batters.

Luke Martin started the game and lasted three and two-thirds innings. He gave up four hits and four earned runs. One run was unearned. He walked six and struck out six.

Aaron Volle pitched one and one-third innings in middle relief. He struck out four batters.

Mount Pulaski improved to 14-1 on the season.

[Teena Lowery]