It was on a double by Fulton that the Bulldogs set up what would be a 10-9 home win in extra innings on Thursday.
With two down in the top half of the eighth and a runner on first, the …
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![Jordyn Thurman calls for the ball as catcher Karlee Sefrit steps aside during the Bulldogs’ extra inning win. [Dave Faries]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20210923-091728-Mexico%20Softball%20v%20Fulton%202.JPG)
It was on a double by Fulton that the Bulldogs set up what would be a 10-9 home win in extra innings on Thursday.
With two down in the top half of the eighth and a runner on first, the Hornets’ Samantha Hedgpath looped a Texas Leaguer into center. Mexico center fielder Lexie Willer charged hard and sprawled for the ball, but she fell short and the ball kicked free.
“I knew she was going to dive for it, so I prepared,” said Bulldogs rightfielder Shianna Exendine, who was in the right place to corral the ball.
While Hedgpath reached second, Exendine’s alert play held Riley Baker at third. Hurler Jordyn Thurman caught the next hitter looking to end the threat.
The defensive effort set up the clincher. In the bottom of the ninth with one down, Riley Thurman smacked a double to right. Abby Bellamy stepped to the plate and quickly got into trouble.
With two strikes against her, Bellamy maintained her composure and ripped an extra base hit to center. Riley Thurman raced home to score the winning run.
“Coach told me to look for one pitch and I did,” Bellamy said. In early at bats she had struggled to connect with pitches in the upper part of the strike zone.
“I thought ‘don’t swing at anything high,’” Bellamy explained.
Mexico remained close in what shaped up early as a slugfest. They were down 5-4 after two, 8-6 at the end of three.
But Fulton held a one-run edge in the sixth and the Bulldogs were in trouble with two out in the bottom half of the inning.
Taylor DeMint offered some hope, slapping a single to left. Exendine followed with another clutch hit.
With runners on first and second, Willer fought off several pitches and then directed a looper into left. DeMint crossed with the tying run.
“I was nervous,” Willer admitted. “But this was the time to get a hit.”
Jordyn Thurman went the distance for the win and had a lot of help on the offensive side.
Willer went 4 for 5 on the night. Brooke Teel, Bellamy and Riley Thurman each collected 3 hits, including a four-bagger by Thurman. Bellamy accounted for 3 RBI and Riley Thurman 3 runs.
Karlee Sefrit and DeMint added 2 hits each.
