Toppers rally for seven runs in
sixth inning to defeat Villa Grove 7-1
[May 22, 2025]
The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers scored seven runs in the bottom
of the sixth inning on Wednesday night in their first game of
regionals and three outs later they walked away 7-1 winners over the
Villa Grove Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils were on the board in the top of the first inning
thanks to an RBI double by Max Wilson.
Villa Grove held onto that 1-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth
inning.
Aaron Volle led off the sixth inning with a walk for Mount Pulaski
and he advanced to second on a ground out by Preston Cowan. Jaeden
Jackson tied the game with a single to right and then he scored the
go-ahead run on a double to left by Tyler Cross. After Chase Roberts
walked and Eric Cooper singled, Liam Smith stepped into the batter’s
box to face a new pitcher. Smith jumped on the first pitch he saw
and took it over the center field fence for a home run. It was a
three-run shot, scoring Roberts and Cooper. Cross had been caught
trying to steal third earlier or Smith’s home run would’ve been a
grand slam.
“Liam definitely got the pitch he was looking for and it was a
no-doubter,” said Mount Pulaski coach Troy Burgard. “That was huge
to get those insurance runs to give Eric (Cooper) plenty of
breathing room.”
Mount Pulaski had a 5-1 lead and they weren’t done yet.
Chance Payne followed Smith’s at-bat with a single and Luke Martin
doubled him in with another run. Aaron Volle was the next batter and
he kept it going with a base hit to left that scored Martin. Volle
made the third out trying to take second but Mount Pulaski had
completed a terrific comeback, leading 7-1.
The Blue Devils wasted a lead-off single in the top of the seventh
inning and with Cooper pitching, three quick outs were soon
recorded.
“Eric Cooper was outstanding on the mound,” said Burgard. “He
settled in really well after giving up a run in the first inning.
Our offense squandered a lot of opportunities the first five
innings, but he never got rattled and just kept pitching.”
Cooper finished with six strikeouts in seven innings and he allowed
just one run on six hits. He threw 57 of his 79 pitches for strikes,
while facing 26 batters.
Cooper’s defense behind him committed one error in the first inning
and they turned two double plays in the game.
Mount Pulaski had eleven hits versus Villa Grove.
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Jaeden Jackson led Mount Pulaski with three hits in
three at-bats. He also scored a run and drove in a run.
“Jaeden Jackson was unbelievable at the plate” said Burgard. “He
hasn’t had many opportunities this year, but he never complains and
is the ultimate teammate with constant positive energy. He stepped
up with a 3-for-3 performance and tied the game with a huge RBI
single to right.”
“The bottom of the order of Jaeden, Tyler Cross, and Chase Roberts
really stepped up and went 5-for-8,” added Burgard.
As for the win that puts Mount Pulaski in the regional championship
on Saturday, Burgard said, “It wasn’t pretty at times and took our
bats much longer than I would’ve liked to get going, but you’ll take
a win any way you can at this point in the year. Hopefully our bats
can feed off that sixth inning and get going early and often
Saturday.”
Chance Payne was 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Hilltoppers.
Payne continues to lead Mount Pulaski with a .514 average, 37 hits,
13 doubles, 31 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He’s tied with Volle and
Smith for home runs. They each have three so far this season.
Coach Burgard had seven players announced on Wednesday as members of
the 2025 Tomahawk All-Conference Baseball Team.
Chance Payne, Luke Martin and Aaron Volle made the 1st Team.
Eric Cooper and Preston Cowan made the 2nd Team.
Liam Smith and Carter Clark made Honorable Mention.
Mount Pulaski (21-6) will play Tuscola for the Class 1A Regional
Championship on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in Tuscola.
[Teena Lowery]
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