Fulton proved to itself it had plenty of gas left in the tank during the last couple weeks but the needle hit empty Tuesday.
The Hornets lost 4-1 to Class 4 No. 2 Southern Boone in the Class 4 District 8 semifinals in Ashland, combining for seven hits with the Eagles. Junior Dusty Hagens struck out seven and was shutting out Southern Boone through four innings before the Eagles rallied for four runs in the fifth inning.
Fulton coach John Brinkmann said the Hornets (12-12) — with their 10 seniors — had a ton of drive to extend the year, winning four of their previous five games heading into Tuesday. After the crooked number, Fulton just couldn’t bring enough energy to respond.
“We played well,” Brinkmann said. “The seniors didn’t want to give it up. Unfortunately, it came to an end today, but I’ve got nothing but praise for them.”
Fulton gave its crowd some early energy in the first inning against Carter Salter, as freshman Wyatt Wilfley found a hole on the left side for a single. Hagens, who was fresh off a 3-for-4 game with a near cycle in a 6-5 win Monday against Mexico, swatted a pitch to right field to allow Wilfley to score from first base as he slid head first ahead of the throw home.
The Hornets had to cling to a 1-0 lead through four innings as they couldn’t muster more offense against Salter. Fulton tried to force the issue to build up a cushion.
Senior Ryan Newman lifted a pitch to left field that carried off the fence for a double in the fourth inning, but he was thrown out at third to end the inning. Senior Paul Houf singled to lead off the fifth inning prior freshman Gabe DeFily coming in as a pinch runner. DeFily made it to second base on a ground ball but couldn’t swipe third base against catcher Bob Andert, who caught his second Hornet in as many innings.
“We were just trying to be aggressive,” Brinkmann said. “That’s what we do. We’re an aggressive team. It didn’t work out, but unfortunately, that happens.”
Hagens had struck out five Eagles through four innings after getting Hayden Steelman to chase a breaking ball that bounced on the turf after he had Southern Boone’s lone hit up to that point.
The Eagles (29-2) then drew two walks to lead off the fifth inning after Hagens had only walked Salter on an eight-pitch at-bat in the third inning. Bradly Smith served as the hero for Southern Boone, as he drove the second pitch he saw to the gap to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead. The lead grew to 4-1 after an infield error and then a wild pitch waved at by Austin Evans on the third strike brought home more runs.
Hagens finishes the season with a 2.12 ERA after allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks against Southern Boone. In his previous three outings — covering 14 innings — he pitched to a 1.29 ERA while nine hits and striking 25.
Brinkmann said had may have been tired in that fifth inning as he threw 90 pitches Tuesday after having to come in Monday to throw 19 to close out the game against Mexico.
Hagens wasn’t supposed to come in that game, but the Hornets needed their best arm to make sure they lived another day.
“He threw well,” Brinkmann said. “He came in and closed it night for us. He may have run out of gas a little bit, but he threw a heck of a game. He did everything and more honestly.”
Brinkmann said Fulton had four varsity arms available for Tuesday’s game. Freshman Ethan Milius came through at the plate in back-to-back games where he picked up the go-ahead or winning hit in the sixth inning or later. This time, Fulton needed his arm as he put up a zero in the sixth inning in what was his first varsity action on the mound.
“We played through a lot of injuries this year,” Brinkmann said. “We ended with really four varsity healthy arms by the end of the year. We battled all year long.”
Four of the six Hornets retired by Steelman in his two no-hit innings on the mound were seniors, including the final three in the seventh inning. Fulton went into this season with 10 seniors, and Brinkmann believes Fulton was able finish at .500 or better for the first time in four years because of the experienced group.
“The seniors are a large part of it,” Brinkmann said. “I’m going to miss all of them, but I’m going to miss the seniors a lot.”