The Mt. Pulaski Hilltoppers put together a dominant all-around performance on the diamond, using a massive second inning and steady pitching from Preston Cowan to cruise past the Tri-City Tornadoes 12-2 in varsity baseball action.
Mt. Pulaski wasted little time applying pressure offensively, collecting 10 hits and drawing nine walks while capitalizing on several Tri-City defensive miscues throughout the game.
After Tri-City struck first in the opening inning on an error that allowed Owen Byerline to score, the Hilltoppers immediately answered in the bottom half. Chase Roberts opened the rally with a single before Luke Martin ripped an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1. Jaeden Jackson followed later in the inning with an RBI single, giving Mt. Pulaski a 2-1 lead.
The Hilltoppers blew the game open in the second inning with a six-run outburst. Preston Cowan started the rally with a single, while Luke Martin later delivered another base hit that brought home two runs. Tyler Cross added an RBI single, Tucker Fitzpatrick lifted a sacrifice fly, and Aaron Volle drew a bases-loaded walk as Mt. Pulaski extended the lead to 9-1.
Mt. Pulaski continued to manufacture runs in the third inning. Aaron Volle lined an RBI single to center field before Tyler Cross drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, stretching the advantage to 11-1.
The Hilltoppers added their final run in the fifth inning when Ethan Kern scored after Tucker Fitzpatrick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, making it 12-2.
Luke Martin had a strong day at the plate, finishing with three runs scored, two doubles, and an RBI. Tyler Cross drove in a team-high three runs while scoring twice. Aaron Volle also collected two RBIs, and Preston Cowan helped his own cause with a pair of hits.
Carter Clark provided quality production off the bench with a hit and a run scored, while Keoni Charron added a double and two RBIs.
On the mound, Cowan was outstanding for Mt. Pulaski. The right-hander tossed all five innings, allowing just four hits and two runs — neither of them earned — while striking out four and walking none.
Defensively, the Hilltoppers turned a double play in the third inning and consistently worked out of trouble behind Cowan’s efficient pitching performance.
Tri-City managed only four hits in the contest. Clay Cromwell and Gauge Nihiser each collected singles, while the Tornadoes struggled to capitalize on their opportunities against the Hilltopper defense.
With the win, Mt. Pulaski showcased both offensive depth and disciplined pitching in one of its most complete performances of the season.
#2 Preston Cowan Post Game Interview
#4 Keoni Charron with an RBI Double to Centerfield
#9 Tyler Cross making the Routine Catch in Centerfield
#33 Luke Martin with an RBI Double to Leftfield
#2 Preston Cowan picks off the Runner at 2nd with the Tag from #4 Keoni Charron
#13 Aaron Volle with the RBI Single hit to Centerfield
Pop Fly turned Double Play thanks to #4 Keoni Charron and #32 Caden Wyler