COLUMBIA -- The Fulton Hornets played some of Missouri's best teams and finished second in the Southside Classic Saturday at Rock Bridge High School.
Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association Class 3 tied for No. 2 Fulton beat the host, Class 5 No. 5 Rock Bridge Bruins, 7-1 in the semifinals before losing 2-0 to the Class 5 tied for No. 3 Troy Buchanan Trojans in the championship.
Starting with the semifinal game, Natalie Underwood struck out 12 batters as the starting pitcher led Fulton (11-4-1) past Rock Bridge (14-5). She gave up three hits and one run over seven innings while walking one.
Samantha Hedgpath collected four hits in four at-bats in the win for the Hornets. She hit a solo home run to center field in the seventh inning, doubled in the second inning, doubled in the fourth inning and singled in the first inning.
Fulton got on the board in the top of the first inning after Kennedy Watson induced Maddie Bright to hit into a fielder's choice, but two runs scored, and Jayna Hedgpath doubled, scoring one run.
A double by Samantha Hedgpath extended the Hornets' lead to 4-0 in the top of the second inning.
The Bruins scored one run in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run to center field by Addie Morris.
Fulton added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning on three hits. Samantha Hedgpath hit a solo home run to center field, and Jayna Hedgpath doubled, scoring one run.
Watson stepped into the circle first for Rock Bridge. She gave up five hits and four runs (two earned) over two innings, striking out one and walking none.
The Hornets tallied 13 hits in the game. Samantha Hedgpath, Mylee Hawkins and Reagan Echelmeier each collected multiple hits for Fulton.
The Hornets didn't commit a single error in the field. Layla Underwood had the most chances in the field with 11.
Ava Bush, Morris and Addison Gottman each collected one hit for the Bruins. Morris went 1-for-3 at the plate as she led the team with one RBI.
Rock Bridge turned one double play in the game.
Fulton faced Troy Buchanan (15-2-1) in the championship game.
Both teams were strong in the circle, but the Trojans were just slightly more potent at the plate in their victory.
Brilee Ash started the game for the Hornets and recorded 18 outs.
Troy Buchanan opened the scoring in the fourth after Ava Meyers singled, scoring one run.
Ash started in the circle for Fulton. The starting pitcher gave up nine hits and two runs (no earned) over six innings, striking out two and walking none.
Mackenzie Williams stepped in the circle for the Trojans. She surrendered one hit and no runs over four innings, striking out none and walking none.
Samantha Hedgpath, Bright and Hawkins each collected one hit for the Hornets.
Emelia Daniels and Meyers were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Troy Buchanan. Bella Skibinski, Williams and Elliana Graf each collected two hits for the Trojans.
Troy Buchanan didn't commit a single error in the field. Gracie Johns had the most chances in the field with nine.
Fulton will take on Class 3 No. 10 Blair Oaks (7-4) at 5 p.m. Monday in Wardsville. The game was initially scheduled for last Monday but was postponed due to rain.