The state-ranked Bulldogs preyed on four errors by the Thunderbirds to pile on nine runs in the bottom of the third inning in Tuesday night's 12-2, consolation-bracket game in the 21st-annual Fulton Tournament.
North Callaway (7-13) was edged by Southern Boone 6-5 in first-round play earlier Tuesday at Fulton High School. The Thunderbirds will face Hallsville for seventh place at 4 p.m. Thursday at the high school athletic complex.
North Callaway encountered a scary situation during Mexico's outburst in the third at Westminster College. Sophomore starting pitcher AJ Stubblefield was struck in the chest by a line drive and was down for a period of time. He eventually was able to get to his feet before being transported to Callaway Community Hospital for precautionary measures.
The Thunderbirds tallied their two runs in the top of the fifth. The Bulldogs - ranked No. 9 in Class 4 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association - added single runs in the fifth and sixth to end the game on the 10-run rule.
Junior first baseman Quintin Nichols went 2-for-2 and scored a run as North Callaway was limited to five hits. Freshman relief pitcher Justin Popp was also 1-for-2 with a double and scored once.
The Thunderbirds - who also lost to Mexico 13-2 on April 24 in Auxvasse - finished with six errors Tuesday night.
Stubblefield (2-2) took the loss, giving up 10 runs, only two earned, on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out one.
In Tuesday's earlier game, Southern Boone broke a 3-all tie with three runs in the top of the seventh. North Callaway put up two runs in its half of the inning, but couldn't finish the rally.
Senior Brandon Hagedorn - who started on the mound and later moved to first base - finished 2-for-4 with a double as the Thunderbirds totalled seven hits. Senior left fielder Cole Branson also provided an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth and sophomore catcher Wyatt Branson was 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the seventh.
Senior Michael Early was tagged with the loss for North Callaway, giving up three unearned runs in two innings of relief work. Early allowed a hit, issued three walks and struck out one.