Coach Joel Washko put out a call for opponents this week and when the powerhouse St. Joseph-Ogden came calling, Washko did not hesitate to put the Spartans on his team's schedule.
St. Joe jumped out to an 8-0 lead early and held off a late rally from the Hilltoppers to win 9-6 Monday in a non-conference showdown of 1A and 2A baseball powers in Mt. Pulaski.
Evan Cooper doubled and drove in two for the Hilltoppers and finished 2-for-4. Liam Smith doubled finishing 2-for-3. Landon Smith, Jackson Fricke, Chance Payne, and Luke Martin drove in runs for Mt. Pulaski.
The Spartans go to 18-4 overall while Mt. Pulaski drops to 16-2.
The Hilltoppers host Hartsburg-Emden in a Tomahawk Conference matchup on Tuesday.