Lady Hornets lose another close one to Mexico, 10-9 in nine

Two games and two one-run losses against the North Central Missouri Conference.

Fulton lost a close game Thursday to Mexico 10-9 two days after the Lady Hornets' 4-3 loss Tuesday to Moberly. This time it took nine innings to decide a victor.

Mexico (5-5, 2-2 NCMC) scored of freshman Brilee Ash early with six runs in the first three innings. Fulton (8-6, 2-3 NCMC) was two runs better in those innings to take an 8-6 lead after three.

Sophomore Sam Hedgpath would drive in three of these runs, with two scoring on a home run in the second, and sophomore Reagan Echelmeier would score three of her four runs in the first third of the game. Hedgpath went 3-for-5 with three RBI, two doubles and two runs scored, and Echelmeier went 3-for-5 with a double and a walk.

Mexico would tie it in the fourth before Fulton took the lead again in the fifth when Echelmeier crossed the plate her fourth time on an Ash single.

The game became knotted once again when the Lady Bulldogs scored again in the sixth. Neither team could build much of a threat in the seventh so extras would be necessary.

The Lady Hornets would leave two on base in the eighth and go scoreless in the ninth, opening the door for a Mexico walkoff. The Lady Bulldogs would do just that and hand Fulton its fourth straight loss against them. Three of those four games were decided by one run, and the Lady Hornets' most recent win against them in 2019 was a 7-6 game.

Senior Elaina Gray went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Ash allowed eight runs (two earned) in 5 innings with five strikeouts. Junior Marah Walley pitched three innings in relief, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) with two strikeouts.

Fulton will enter into a weekend tournament in Camdenton that will have games today and Saturday.