High School Boys Baseball Sectionals
Falcons defeat Mount Pulaski 7-1 in Sectional Championship

 

[May 28, 2024] 

The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Falcons won the Class 1A Sectional title 7-1 over Mount Pulaski on Saturday in Arcola.

Mount Pulaski scored their only run in the bottom of the second inning. Landon Smith, who had been hit by a pitch to reach base in the inning, scored on an error by the Falcons third baseman. Tyler Cross had a bunt single in the inning and that was the only Hilltoppers hit in the game.

The Falcons tied the game in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single.

The game was tied 1-1 until the top of the seventh inning.

The Falcons used a bases-clearing double and a two-run double to jump ahead 6-1, with just one out in the seventh inning. Two walks, a single and a balk later, the Falcons plated another run to put the Hilltoppers in a bad position, down 7-1 going into the final at bat.

The bottom of the seventh inning ended quickly on a strikeout and two line outs to the outfield.

Eric Cooper took the loss for Mount Pulaski. He worked six and one-third innings, allowing five hits and six runs. He struck out five and walked two.

Landon Smith gave up a hit, a walk and a run in middle relief.

Aaron Volle worked two-thirds of an inning, giving up a hit and a walk.

Graydon Leonard earned the win for the Falcons. He pitched the complete game, giving up just one hit and one run. He walked three and struck out eight.

Following the season-ending loss, Mount Pulaski head coach Joel Washko explained how things just didn’t go the Hilltoppers way.

“Saturday just wasn’t our day,” said Washko. “Eric Cooper threw an outstanding game and pitched more than well enough to get us a win. We just really struggled at the plate and couldn’t square much of anything up. We made some nice plays behind Eric, but had a costly error in the seventh on a bunt and then a fielder’s choice where we didn’t get the call, and had a difficult jam to try and get out of. They got a couple timely hits and that was it. I’m really proud of this group because they battled individually and as a team through adversity.

"We will miss our two seniors. Landon Smith set several program offensive records this year, was a great leader for us, and has a bright future on the ball field ahead of him. Colt Selinger battled to get a role that he worked for and we were better for it. Colt is a great example for younger guys in the program. We DH’d for him on Saturday and in the last inning I tried to get him an AB, but he turned it down so that Preston Cowan could have one more at bat. That’s a kid that cares more about the guy next to him than himself and that’s really what being a part of “team” is all about.”

Mount Pulaski ends the season with a 26-4 record.

[Teena Lowery]