Hornets fail to maximize opportunities vs. No. 4 Mexico

An inability to cash in on early scoring chances ultimately derailed the Fulton Hornets' upset bid of the rival, state-ranked Mexico Bulldogs.

Fulton stranded 10 baserunners, including five in the first two innings, in bowing to Mexico 8-2 in North Central Missouri Conference play Thursday night.

The game was delayed 45 minutes due to a tornado warning in the Mexico area.

When play commenced, Fulton (4-6, 2-3 NCMC) put its first two runners on with a walk and single, respectively, from sophomore left fielder Josh Quick and sophomore shortstop Devin Masek in the top of the first inning.

Sophomore catcher Isaiah Pani's line drive on the Hornets' next at-bat was snagged for the first out, a play that could have been productive for Fulton had it dropped in, according to head coach Darren Masek.

"That was pretty big," Darren Masek said. "That changes things significantly (if not caught)."

Quick and Devin Masek were left on base as the next two Hornets were retired in order to end the inning.

The Bulldogs - ranked No. 4 in Class 4 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association - put their first two runners on in the bottom of the first. Mexico tallied its first run when first baseman Wes Oetting grounded back to the pitcher, allowing shortstop Tyler Bracht to score.

Junior right fielder Trenton Clines extended Fulton's second inning with a two-out single. Junior first baseman Zach Franklin was hit by a pitch and Quick walked to load the bases, before Devin Masek was retired on a groundout to the mound to mute the Hornets' threat.

Mexico made Fulton pay with a two-out outburst in the bottom of the inning, plating three runs off senior starter Blake Thompson to stretch its margin to 4-0.

Quick's one-out grounder to short in the fourth was misplayed, allowing sophomore second baseman Luke Gray to score Fulton's first run.

The Bulldogs added three more runs in the fifth to chase Thompson with one out.

Thompson walked six over 4 1/3 innings in taking the loss. He gave up six earned runs on six hits and struck out two.

"He had trouble commanding his fastball," Darren Masek said. "That's the pitch everyone goes on and he didn't have it tonight."

Mexico logged its final run in the sixth. Devin Masek scored the Hornets' last run in the seventh when Thompson reached on a fielder's choice to the pitcher with two outs.

Clines finished 2-for-3 with a double and Devin Masek went 2-for-4 as Fulton finished with six hits. Gray was 1-for-3 and junior third baseman Tristan Steffens went 1-for-4.

The Hornets return home for an NCMC encounter with the Hannibal Pirates at 5 p.m. today.