Hornets finally thwart Mexico 10-6, advance to District 8 semifinals

MARSHALL, Mo. - Senior shortstop Devin Masek's two-run single put Fulton in front to stay during a five-run outburst in the fourth inning as the No. 3 seed Hornets put away No. 6 Mexico 10-6 in the first round of the Class 4, District 8 Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Fulton handily defeated rival Mexico twice during the regular season in North Central Missouri Conference play, but had a much more difficult time Saturday. The Bulldogs went in front 2-0 in the top of the first, but the Hornets answered with four runs in their half of the inning to take the lead.

Fulton was up 5-4 when Mexico responded with two runs in the top of the fourth to regain the lead, setting the stage for the Hornets' critical comeback in the bottom of the inning.

The Hornets (16-6) - winners of five straight and 11 of their last 12 - overcame three errors by piling up 14 hits.

"It was quite an adventure - I think we kind of looked past them a little bit," Fulton head coach John Brinkmann said. "Defensively, we threw the ball around a little bit and weren't really focused.

"Offense wasn't a problem. I thought we really did a good job of hitting the ball hard. Pitching-wise, we made them work."

Fulton now advances to a semifinal showdown against No. 2 seed Kirksville at 4:30 p.m. Monday. The Hornets were swept by the Tigers in an NCMC doubleheader 5-3 and 6-0 on April 1 in Fulton.

"Kirksville is fundamentally sound," Brinkmann said. "We've got to refocus and we're really going to have to play sound defense to get a win."

Masek went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored to spark the Hornets' attack at the plate Saturday. Senior center fielder Alec Fleetwood was 2-for-2 with an RBI and scored twice, while senior catcher Isaiah Pani finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Senior left fielder Devon Keltner went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Fulton and senior first baseman Jared Peery was 2-for-3 with two doubles and scored once. Senior third baseman Luke Gray finished 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Masek (2-1) threw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory. He scattered five hits, struck out five and walked two.