Riley Thurman made a stunning catch in left. The Bulldogs played an almost flawless game in the field and Jordyn Thurman pitched well enough to win.
But Mexico could not touch Kirksville hurler …
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![Mexico second sacker Madeline Williams tags Kirksville’s Mallory Lymer. [Eric Mattson]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20210913-101342-Mexico%20Softball%20v%20Kville%203.jpg)
![Ruby Haefling connects for a double in the seventh inning against Kirksville. [Eric Mattson]](https://epsilon.creativecirclecdn.com/mexicoledger/original/20210913-101337-Mexico%20Softball%20v%20Kville%204.jpg)
Riley Thurman made a stunning catch in left. The Bulldogs played an almost flawless game in the field and Jordyn Thurman pitched well enough to win.
But Mexico could not touch Kirksville hurler Sophie Stuart, who walked only one while fanning 10 and did not allow a hit until the seventh inning.
A late Bulldogs rally fell short and the visiting Tigers walked away with a 4-2 win on Tuesday.
Yet the rally was promising. Abby Bellamy was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the seventh. Jordyn Thurman broke up the no-hitter, driving a double to the gap in left. Hustling around the bases, Bellamy scored from first.
Mexico is always aggressive on the basepaths. So Thurman promptly lit out for third and reached safely.
Stuart settled down and struck out the next two hitters.
Thurman was still dangling on third when Ruby Haefling stepped to the plate. She reached for a low ball and smacked it to the wall in center for two bases.
"She was throwing hard," observed Ruby Haefling. "I kind of just quit thinking -- just get a hit, get on base."
Suddenly it was a 4-2 ballgame.
Speedy Lexie Willer gambled on beating out a bunt to keep the rally going but was tossed out. Yet the flurry of activity gave the Bulldogs inspiration.
"We're standing tall," said Riley Thurman. "I didn't have a good day at the plate, but I knew one of us was going to make something happen."
Mexico had threatened earlier in the game. Down 1-0 in the third, Willer worked for a base on balls, waiting out eight pitches. She was forced out on a fielder's choice, but Taylor DeMint reached first and stole second.
DeMint scrambled to third on a wild pitch, in easy scoring position.
But a deep fly to right by Riley Thurman came one out too late.
The Tigers scored two in the fourth and tacked on one more in the top of the seventh on a two out base hit. And the damage might have been worse but for Thurman's efforts in left field.
With bases jammed and two down in the first, she hauled in a Mallory Lymer shot. Kirksville loaded the bases again in the fifth. Thurman ended the threat with a diving catch of Tacy Ensign's liner.
