The Mexico Bulldogs claimed their first District Championship in 12 years tonight (Wednesday) when they beat Fulton 3-2. The Dawgs allowed a run in the top of the 7th to tie the score at 2-2, and then got a leadoff single from Garrett Denham, and a one-out single against a drawn in infield from Colton Dickey to walk it off.
No shirts were lost in the victory which sounded like this:
Kaden Benne ran his record to 7-1 on the year as he went the distance in the win. He allowed just two runs on five hits and worked around two Bulldog errors in the field, which led to both Hornet runs. Benne threw 101 pitches, struck out four and walked three.
FHS sophomore pitcher Parker Sparks took the loss as he gave up eight of the nine Mexico hits. He struck out one and walked two.
Mexico got on the board in the first after a leadoff double from Chance McCarty, and then a sacrifice fly from Benne.
Fulton answered in the top of the fifth after Ben Leslie led off with a single, Wyatt Metz reached on a error by shortstop Chance McCarty, a walk to Sparks and then a run scored on a sacrifice by Caden Bowers.
Down to their last out in the 6th, Fulton mounted a comeback after the first two batters struck out. Braden Hughes walked, Leslie singled and Metz reached on an error by Denham at first as a run scored. Fulton led 2-1.
Mexico clapped back in the 6th when Brady Fox led off with a single, Zach John followed with a single that put Fox on third. Benne then earned his second rbi with a sacrifice as MHS tied the game at 2-2.
Then the game moved to the decisive final frame.
Mexico will take on the winner of the Class 4 District 8 Championship, with semi-final action going on tonight in Moberly. That Sectional game will happen on Tuesday evening, with the site yet to be determined.