Congratulations to the Mount
Pulaski Hilltoppers on winning the Class 1A regional baseball
championship. Photo courtesy of Erin Martin
[May 26, 2025]
The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers defeated the Tuscola Warriors
2-1 on Saturday to claim the Class 1A regional championship hosted
by Tuscola.
The Hilltoppers won the regional title with first-year head coach
Troy Burgard at the helm. It was a nerve-racking game, with all of
the runs scored in the first two innings.
Luke Martin took the mound for the Hilltoppers in the first inning
and he struck out the first two batters before allowing a solo home
run to left by Connor Musgrave. Martin then went on to strike out
the next batter and the Warriors had to settle for just the one run
in the opening inning.
The Hilltoppers evened the score in the bottom of the first inning.
Chance Payne hit a two-out double in the bottom of the first for
Mount Pulaski. Martin’s RBI single to left field brought Payne home
with the tying run.
The Hilltoppers took the lead in the second inning.
Preston Cowan walked to lead off the bottom of the second and he
advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jaeden Jackson. After Chase Roberts
belted a single to left, Eric Cooper was able to drive in the
go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to center.
Martin only allowed three baserunners the rest of the game. A hit by
pitch, a walk and a single were spread out over the next four
innings and resulted in nothing for the Warriors.
Martin ended the game by striking out the side in the top of the
seventh inning.
Martin had a tremendous day on the mound, striking out 12 batters
and walking two. He allowed just two hits the entire game as he
picked up the regional championship win for the Hilltoppers.
“Luke Martin threw an absolute gem,” said Burgard. “He battled
through a lot of deep counts but never gave in. He’s such a
competitor out there and just lives for those big moments. He was
probably running on pure adrenaline in the seventh inning but
luckily he finished the job on his last batter. He definitely left
it all on the field for us.”
“Tuscola played a heck of a ballgame,” continued Burgard. “We didn’t
strike out much at the plate and their defense made a lot of great
plays behind their pitcher (Jon Pettry). We had him timed up pretty
well but just couldn’t get them to drop in.”
Pettry pitched a solid game for the Warriors. He worked six innings,
allowing two runs on six hits. Pettry struck out four and walked
two.
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Congratulations to the Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers on winning the
Class 1A regional baseball championship. Photo courtesy of Erin
Martin
Eric Cooper, Liam Smith, Chance Payne, Luke Martin, Aaron Volle and
Chase Roberts each had a hit for Mount Pulaski.
“We were able to execute some small ball in the second inning to
take the lead,” said Burgard. “Preston Cowan led off with a walk,
and Jaeden Jackson got a great sac bunt down to move him up. Chase
Roberts followed with a base hit, which set up a sac fly by Eric
Cooper. I didn’t expect the score to remain 2-1 the rest of the
game, but we’ll take a win any way we can get it.”
Burgard had high praise for his team’s great defense and he
especially pointed out freshman catcher, Chase Roberts.
"Our defense has been outstanding all year, and they stepped up big
again today,” said Burgard. “All three outfielders made great plays.
When the ball is put in play out there, we know they’re going to go
run it down. Chase Roberts was huge behind the plate. It’s a lot to
ask of a freshman to catch a big game like that and he was
incredible. He made a perfect throw to second on a stolen base
attempt in the sixth inning to nail the runner. That play was huge.”
“I’m extremely proud of this group,” added Burgard. “They’re so much
fun to be around and are such a resilient bunch of kids. They don’t
get rattled in big moments and play together as a family. They’ve
fought through a lot of adversity between some injuries and not
having a field to practice and play on until late April. I think
those early trials have really helped prepare them for anything
postseason baseball throws their way. Hopefully we can keep it going
against Gibson City.”
The Hilltoppers (22-6) will play Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (16-11)
on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in the first game of sectionals. That game
is at Kelly Moore Memorial Park in Arcola.
[Teena Lowery]
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