The Hornets had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh inning before succumbing to the Blazers 6-5 on Monday at the high school athletic complex on Monday night.
Fulton (1-4) - losers of four straight - trailed 6-3 to start the final inning. Sophomore center fielder Isaac Franklin scored on a Tolton field error to get to within two runs. Junior third baseman Tristan Steffens followed with his third hit of the game, an RBI single to plate junior right fielder Trenton Clines to cut the deficit to a run.
The Blazers intentionally walked sophomore first baseman Cameron Vititoe to load the bases, but sophomore Luke Gray struck out on three straight pitches to end the game.
Tolton pushed home three runners in the top of the sixth to grab a 5-3 lead, then padded their advantage with their final tally in the seventh.
After falling behind 2-0, the Hornets produced three in the fourth, taking a one-run edge when sophomore courtesy runner Devin Hudson scored on Franklin's ground ball to second base.
Gray threw the first four innings for Fulton, striking out four, walking two and allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits.
Sophomore reliever Alec Fleetwood threw 2 2/3 innings to take the loss. Fleetwood allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits, walking one and striking out three.
Steffens was 3-for-3 with two RBIs, two doubles and a run scored as Fulton was outhit 9-6.
The Hornets continue non-conference play at Eldon at 5 p.m. tonight.