COLUMBIA - Fulton sophomore third baseman Woodrow Foster had two hits, including his first varsity home run, and drove in four runs as the Hornets powered past the Battle Spartans 12-5 on Wednesday night.
Fulton overcame a 3-2 deficit with three runs in the top of the fifth inning and then pulled away behind a seven-run rampage in the sixth. The Hornets (6-10) have won two straight and four of their last five.
"We played a really solid baseball game - from the first pitch to the last pitch," Fulton head coach John Brinkmann said. "As the game went on, I felt like we were in control and the boys really seemed ready to play."
Foster's two-run homer to left tied the game at 2-all in the second. He also delivered a two-run single in the sixth to finish 2-for-4 as the Hornets piled up 13 hits.
Senior starter Joe Hinchie finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored for Fulton, while junior center fielder Jake Moore went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and scored twice. Senior first baseman Evan Gray was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Sophomore catcher Austin Taylor - who walked twice - finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.
"We really made their pitchers work," Brinkmann said. "The first guy was effective, but we didn't give them easy outs."
Hinchie allowed three earned runs on eight hits and one walk in five innings to stay unbeaten at 3-0.
"Joe's a competitor out there," Brinkmann said. "I almost pulled him in the fourth inning, but when I went out to the mound he looked me square in the eye and said, 'Coach, I can get us out of this - I have more pitches in me.'
"He was a bulldog and went right after guys."
Between the varsity and junior varsity games, Battle and Fulton honored military veterans in attendance.
"I want to thank Battle - it was an honor to be here in front of all the veterans and play in this game," Brinkmann said. "It was very heartwarming."
Fulton travels to Hannibal for a North Central Missouri Conference game at 5 p.m. today. The Hornets - who edged the Pirates 3-2 on April 5 in Fulton - are 3-4 in the NCMC.