Mexico didn't start its North Central Missouri Conference and district schedules on the right foot.
The Bulldogs lost to conference and district opponent Kirksville 8-1 on Tuesday at home after only tallying four hits. Ryder Lyons retired 14 of the last Mexico batters during his start of seven innings with four hits, two strikeouts and one unearned run. Kirksville (3-4, 1-1 NCMC) scored six of their runs in the second inning, which was the same inning Brady Fox was called out at first base on a close play to end the inning and prevent the Bulldogs (7-2, 0-1 NCMC) from scoring. The second inning is when Mexico made a pitching change to Landon Hilderman and then he retired 13 straight batters. He pitched 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts, three hits, two unearned runs and one walk. Hilderman and Sam Ryan combined to allow eight unearned runs and six walks. Fox scored the only run for Mexico, and Luke Cahalan led Kirksville by going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double.
Mexico plays another conference game at 5 p.m. Thursday at Hannibal (2-6, 0-1 NCMC).
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