Rain ended Thursday night’s game against Fulton after five innings. But it was one inning – the third – that truly mattered in a 7-2 Mexico win.

The Hornets scored in the second and third to go on top 2-0. In the bottom of the third, however, the Bulldogs took advantage of a wild spell by Fulton hurler Grant Derenzy.

With one down, Daeye Miller drew a walk, as did Will Dobyns.

Derenzy recorded a second out, but then thunked Tyler Thoenen with a pitch to load the bases. Quayvon Belcher walked, scoring Miller. Tristan Playter walked, pushing another run across. A passed ball put the Bulldogs out in front, 3-2.

But Fulton’s ordeal wasn’t over.

Ty Sims was hit by a pitch to again load the bases, bringing Ty Prince to the plate.

Prince laced the ball into right center for a base clearing triple, chasing Derenzy from the mound and putting Mexico on top for good.

“It didn’t feel as good as it looked,” Prince said of the drive. “I just put it over the right fielder’s head.

Josh Forbis, Dobyns and Jack Wilburn took turns on the mound, allowing only two hits. The final stint belonged to Wilburn, who fanned four in two innings of work.

Wilburn got into trouble in the top of the fifth, walking the bases loaded with two down. But he struck out David Gibson to end the game.

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t the greatest,” Wilburn said of conditions.

Spitting rain and frigid temperatures dogged pitchers on both sides. Although the umpire rotated in dry balls, a secure grip for a sharp curve could be elusive. “It’s a lot different than a nice, sunny day,” Wilburn added with a smile.

“Our pitchers overcame the weather,” Bulldogs head coach Daniel McCarty observed. “And we were patient at the plate.

The win moved Mexico to .500 on the season at 5-5. They were scheduled to travel to North Callaway on Monday before returning home to host Marshall on Tuesday.