The Fulton Hornets countered the state-ranked South Callaway Bulldogs' rally with an even bigger comeback.
Senior center fielder Alec Fleetwood's three-run home run punctuated a five-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning as Fulton toppled South Callaway 8-4 on Monday night at the high school athletic complex.
The Hornets - winners of nine of their last 10 - improved their season record to 14-6. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 2 in Class 3, have dropped three of their last four in slipping to 21-5 overall.
"This is a big win for us as far as momentum -South Callaway is a great team, one of the best in the state," Fulton head coach John Brinkmann said. "Our guys have the right mindset going on as we head into important baseball (with district play)."
Fulton owned a 3-2 lead before the Bulldogs came up with two runs in the top of the sixth to go in front. Junior first baseman Landon Horstman's RBI sacrifice fly with one out tied the game and freshman courtesy runner Devon Borghardt then scored on an error to give South Callaway a 4-3 advantage.
Senior first baseman Jared Perry drew a leadoff walk to start the Hornets' sixth and was replaced by junior courtesy runner Tucker Caswell, who moved to second on a passed ball. Senior catcher Isaiah Pani promptly lined a double to left, bringing around Caswell to to tie the game.
Junior courtesy runner Nate Quick replaced Pani, went to third on another passed ball and then scored on senior designated hitter Cameron Vititoe's single to give Fulton a 5-4 lead. After senior third baseman Devan Hudson walked, Fleetwood hammered a 1-0 pitch over the fence in left to stretch the Hornets' lead to four runs.
South Callaway jumped in front with a run in the first on senior starter Graysan Peneston's RBI single with two outs. Fulton, though, came right back with three runs in the second to take the lead.
Peery opened the inning with a double to left and tied the game when he scored on senior left fielder Devon Keltner's one-out double to center. Three batters later, Fleetwood produced a two-run single to put the Hornets up 3-1.
The Bulldogs got a run back in the third when sophomore shortstop Peyton Leeper doubled with two outs and scored on junior second baseman Dylan Lepper's single to right.
Fleetwood finished 2-for-3 with five RBI and a run scored as Fulton accumulated nine hits. Hudson went 1-for-2 and scored twice, while Vititoe was 1-for-3 and also scored two runs.
Peery finished 1-for-2 with a run scored and Pani went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
"We really hunted the fastball when it got to two strikes and we weren't chasing his (Peneston's) pitches," Brinkmann said. "If you chase his best stuff, it's going to be difficult for you."
Senior starter Devin Masek (1-1) gave up two earned runs on five hits in five innings to log his first win of the season for the Hornets. Peery pitched the sixth, allowing two runs - one earned - on two hits.
Fleetwood worked the seventh, striking out one.
"We pitched really well - limiting a team like that to four runs is pretty difficult," Brinkmann said. "We were throwing strikes and made them hit their way on."
Peneston was 2-for-3 with an RBI for South Callaway, while Lepper was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, and Horstman went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Leeper and junior center fielder Kaden Helsel were both 1-for-4 with a run scored.
Peneston (4-2) suffered the loss, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He issued two walks and struck out one.
Fulton closes out the regular season with a makeup home game against Hallsville at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Hornets swept the Indians in a doubleheader 16-2 and 10-9 at Hallsville last Friday night.
South Callaway hosts the Class 3, District 9 Tournament and is the No. 2 seed. The Bulldogs play No. 7 seed Steelville in the first round at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.