The North Callaway Thunderbirds stranded a pair of Fulton Hornet runners to preserve a season-opening win.
The T-Birds outlasted the Hornets 7-6 on Monday at the high school athletic complex.
North Callaway used a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull in front of Fulton 7-2.
The Hornets (1-2) responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, then drew to within 7-6 with runners at second and third with two outs before sophomore second baseman Josh Quick's fly out to second base wrapped the game up.
Senior pitcher Paul Zerr was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and threw four innings to pick up the win. Zerr allowed two earned runs on two hits, while walking three and striking out seven.
Junior AJ Stubblefield was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a triple, while striking out a batter in one inning of work to get the save.
Sophomore designated hitter Alex Brazil finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base as the T-Birds outhit Fulton 8-5.
"We did a good job of working deep into the count and we also did a good job of running the bases," North Callaway head coach Kevin O'Neal said.
Hornets senior shortstop Blake Thompson was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI and sophomore designated hitter Cameron Vititoe was 1-for-1 with an RBI.
Junior Tristan Steffens took the loss for Fulton in 3 2/3 innings. Steffens walked two, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits, while striking out five.
The (Columbia) Battle Spartans plated a run in the top of the eighth inning to upend the Hornets 6-5 in Monday's first game. Fulton evened the game at 5-all on sophomore catcher Isaiah Pani's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Hornets pulled within a run in the top of the eighth and looked to push the tying tally home in the bottom of the inning, but Thompson's attempt to score was snuffed out at home plate to end the game.
Thompson, Pani, Steffens and junior right fielder Trenton Clines each went 2-for-5, while sophomore center field Isaac Franklin went 2-for-4 to spark the Hornets' 11-6 hitting advantage.
Sophomore Alec Fleetwood was the losing pitcher, allowing an unearned run on one hit in an inning of work.
Fulton opens North Central Missouri Conference play at Boonville at 5 p.m. today.
The T-Birds host Hallsville in their home opener at 5 p.m. Thursday.