Mt. Pulaski had to rally but the Hilltoppers bats finally came alive late and beat Warrensburg-Latham 10-9 in non-conference high school boy's baseball action Friday afternoon in Mt. Pulaski.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 7-1 thanks to a five-run fourth inning.

The Hilltoppers responded scoring four runs in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 7-5, then went ahead for good with a five-run fifth inning to go up 10-7. 

The Cardinals got two back in the top of the sixth but the Hilltoppers held them off the rest of the way for the victory. 

Chance Payne doubled twice going 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Jackon Fricke doubled and drove in three runs for the Hilltoppers, who drew 12 walks against Warrensburg-Latham pitching. 

Evan Cooper doubled and Liam Smith triped as well for Mt. Pulaski. AJ Bailey, Landon Smith, Luke Martin and Evan Cooper all recorded RBIs for the Hilltoppers. 

John Hall was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Cardinals.

Warrensburg-Latham drew their own nine walks against Hilltoppers pithcing. Evan Gottman was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for Warrensburg-Latham. 

Jakob Helm and Kristopher Lawson drove in runs for the Cardionals while Nick Shelsta stole a base. 

The Cardinals finished the regular season 19-8 overall. It's off to the postseason for them.

Mt. Pulaski is 26-3. They will take on Monticello Monday in its final tuneup before postseason play begins next Wednesday.