The Bulldogs survived a seventh inning outburst by Southern Boone, escaping with a 5-4 win in the opening round of district play on Wednesday night in Moberly.

Mexico began the final frame with a comfortable 5-1 advantage and starting pitcher Jordyn Thurman in full control. The freshman sensation set the tone from the start, fanning the first three batters she faced. Heading into the seventh Thurman had surrendered only two hits and one run, a second inning blast by Shelby Reeder that cleared the wall in left center. And RBI single by Karlee Sefrit, scoring Abby Bellamy, in the bottom of the sixth just seemed like icing on the cake.

But trouble began when Southern Boone’s Riece Clevenger reached on an infield error to start off the top of the seventh. Thurman struck out the next hitter then gave up a base hit, putting Eagles on first and second. Southern Boone opted to sacrifice, moving the runners up.

With two out and two on, Mariah Prince drove the first pitch for a home run, bringing the visitors to within one. A second infield error by the Bulldogs put the potential tying run on base. But Thurman was unfazed, coaxing Zoey DeHaas to fly to center.

Lexie Willer hauled it in and the Bulldogs survived to play another day.

Early on it was almost all Mexico. Rylee Thurman answered the Eagles’ second inning blast with a round-tripper of her own that began as a single to center and ended with elder Thurman crossing the plate thanks to a three-base error.

In the fourth, Bellamy drew a walk. She advanced on a single by Rylee Thurman and scored when Southern Boone’s left fielder Synder Anderson booted the ball.

Thurman added another Bulldogs’ run on a fielder’s choice. Mexico tacked on another run in the fifth when Taylor DeMint doubled and Willer drove her home with a base hit.

Sefrit, DeMint and Rylee Thurman had two hits apiece for the third seed Bulldogs. Jordyn Thurman hurled a masterpiece, striking out nine over seven innings, walking one.