Mexico softball head coach Curt Riley preaches that the Lady Bulldogs need to win every inning.

For most of the day, Mexico did win the inning but had split performances in the first innings during two games Saturday at Gallop Field in Mexico. Mexico trailed 3-0 after the first inning in its morning game against now 9-2 Hallsville following three errors that led to as many unearned runs. The Lady Bulldogs fell short in that game 8-5 but rebounded to defeat Monroe City 14-2 in five innings during the afternoon, leading 5-2 after one frame thanks partly to an Abby Bellamy home run.

In the Monroe City game, Bellamy hit two home runs, finished with three RBI and was walked twice while the rest of the Lady Bulldogs combined for six more extra base hits. Jo Thurman had a two-run homer and a double as part of her 3-for-4 game at the leadoff spot, Kierstan Epperson went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI triple, Hannah Loyd finished 2-for-3 with a double and Karlee Sefrit had two RBI. Emma Cunningham allowed two hits and one walk and struck out three in five innings.

Against Hallsville, Loyd had two RBI, and Epperson finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Eboni Mayfield allowed nine hits, eight runs (five earned) and three walks with three strikeouts in seven innings.

Riley said Mexico did make a couple more errors and allowed as many unearned runs against Monroe City but responded quickly and with authority.

“Our big thing is winning every inning, and I thought we won that first inning,” Riley said. “We really hit the ball hard, ran the bases well, Emma (Cunningham) did an outstanding job on the mound — we had two pretty good pitching performances today.”

Riley said Mexico took better swings against Monroe City’s Taylor Pfaff than Hallsville’s duo of Abby Leer and Brianne Wildenhain, striking out twice in the afternoon compared to 14 whiffs in the morning. When the ball is being put in play more frequently, there is a chance some of those balls will carry as they did on the eight extra-base hits.

He said Brooke Teel is a slap hitter, and she slapped a triple over the center fielder’s head to score two runs in Mexico’s game-clinching fifth inning.
“She’s been wanting to get something like that done,” Riley said. “When she bounced up on third, she was happy as I’ll get out.”

On the other hand, Bellamy isn’t a slap hitter as she demonstrated with two swings against Monroe City. Mexico went into the bottom of the first inning down 2-0 but were quickly back in it after Bellamy reached down to smash a ball out to center field.

The Lady Bulldogs started playing home run derby in the third inning as Thurman put a charge into one before Bellamy blasted another low ball over the center field fence.

“When she’s got her down and she hits it, it goes pretty far,” Riley said. “She did a good job hitting the ball today. I thought Kierstan Epperson did a good job hitting the ball. Jo Thurman played well, and that’s why she is at the top of the lineup. She’s going to stay there too.”

Mexico played catchup in the morning against Hallsville after three errors put the Lady Bulldogs into an early hole. They corrected the defense rest of the way as nice play after nice play was showcased by Mexico.

Hallsville put the ball in play three times during the second inning, only for second baseman Kenley Jones to snag a liner and field a ground ball and the third baseman Bellamy to charge a bunt and throw a strike to first base. As the game wore on, shortstop Karlee Sefrit made up for her error by making more phenomenal plays like turning a double play to end the fourth inning and throwing out the runner from the third base spot to close the fifth inning.

“We had three of four errors right off the bat,” Riley said. “That’s hit us three of our last six games where we struggle coming out of the gate then we fight back getting back into the game. Once we settled down defensively, I thought we started making some really good plays. Take the first inning away and my middle infielders were really, really good.”

Mexico started making a comeback in the third inning after falling behind 6-0. Thurman drove in the first run before there were two outs in the frame, but that didn’t faze the Lady Bulldogs. Loyd and Epperson made it 6-4 and a Maddy Feger opposite-field single brought Mexico as close as 6-5 with two outs in the fourth inning.

“We did a really good job with two outs, putting the ball in play and moving runners,” Riley said. “They did a really good job of running the bases and getting home — forcing the issue and taking the extra base on the throw home.”

Mexico (8-7, 2-1 NCMC) visited Centralia on Tuesday before traveling to North Central Missouri Conference rival Fulton (15-4, 3-0 NCMC) on Thursday.

Football

Mexico's new piece Shelton gives Mexico edge in 51-47 shootout at Odessa

Mexico has prided itself on running the football. Odessa has prided itself on running the football too.

This turned out to be the recipe for a shootout between the Bulldog teams Friday night that Mexico won 51-47 in Odessa thanks to their new ingredient. After completing two passes for a combined 26 yards in the first two weeks, Mexico quarterback Ty Sims had five completions – one of them for 40 yards and four for 20 yards – and receiver Jordan Shelton finished with 140 yards and two touchdowns on four catches.

Andrew Runge ran for more than 100 yards for the second straight week, going 132 yards on 20 carries. Mexico ran for 173 yards compared to Odessa’s 310 yards — 242 yards and five touchdowns coming from Zane Palmer on his 35 carries.
Sims threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns on 5-for-8 passing while Odessa quarterback Douryon Dobron threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 14-for-26 passing.

“Both were good running teams,” head coach Steve Haag said. “Both defenses just took one on the chin (tonight).”

Haag said Odessa is a tough team to stop when it runs the football as it employs a pull-and-center type offense that involves the runners using the pulling guard as a blocker. Mexico had its usual option-style of attack, but Haag said he is glad the all-conference and all-district basketball player came out for football his senior year.

The Bulldogs led 30-21 at halftime and kept scoring until Shelton caught the winning touchdown, coming down with the jump ball and putting his basketball skills to work. Haag said having players like Shelton in the offense gives Mexico the speed and athleticism it needs.

“We added a piece – a quick striker – in the passing game,” Haag said. “After not passing for much in previous weeks, that helped tremendously tonight.”

Shelton had a 40-yard reception, and Matt McCurdy caught a touchdown for 33 yards. Shelton’s teammate on the court during the winter, Anthony Shivers, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and had an interception on defense, with the other being picked off by Shelton.

On Friday, Mexico (1-2) hosts North Central Missouri Conference foe Marshall (0-3), who lost 48-22 at Richmond in Week 3, in its conference opener.

Girls tennis

Lady Bulldog pair take first in Boonville, Mexico edges Kirksville

The Mexico girls played a competitive weekend of tennis.

The Lady Bulldogs took second out of six teams Saturday at the Lady Pirate Open in Boonville after Lani Blair and Claire Hudson earned first in No. 2 doubles and Mexico had two other third-place finishes. This event occurred one day after the Lady Bulldogs defeated North Central Missouri Conference foe Kirksville 5-4 on the road Friday thanks to Jyllian Whitworth winning a tiebreaker in the deciding singles match.

On Saturday, Mexico was in Pool 2 with School of the Osage and Moberly, winning five out of the eight matches they played, including Blair and Hudson’s 9-8 tiebreaking win against Osage’s Alyssa Newberry and Glory Nimmo (winning the tiebreaker 7-3).

Blair and Hudson defeated Fulton’s Maelyn Kramer and Marwa Sherzad 8-2 in the first-place match, but Fulton won the team title. Estrella Lopez and Jocelyn Garcia finished third in No. 1 doubles, Messiah Simpson lost No. 2 singles to Fulton’s Tori Hays to take third place, and Whitworth finished fourth in No. 1 singles.

“We try to use tournaments to put girls in district and conference tournament environments,” head coach Kim Costley said. “They learn how each match matters for themselves and for the team standings.”

Whitworth was looked upon to be Mexico’s hero after the match with Kirksville on Friday was knotted at 4, with wins coming from Garcia, Simpson and Hudson in singles and Whitworth and Simpson in doubles. The Lady Bulldogs were also even in tiebreaking matches as Hudson won her No. 6 singles match 11-10 against Diana Lam (7-3 tiebreaker), and Blair and Katie Gooch lost the No. 2 doubles match 11-10 to Madisynn Crawford and Brynn Williams (7-4 tiebreaker).

In the No. 3 singles match, Whitworth was down several games to Crawford before forcing the tiebreaker and winning 11-10 (7-3 tiebreaker), giving the Lady Bulldogs their fifth straight victory against the Lady Tigers.

“It was a late night in Kirksville as we faced a very even opponent,” Costley said. “Based on recent scores and matches we thought this one might be close.”

Mexico (2-3) started three consecutive road matches against Palmyra on Tuesday, Osage today and Moberly on Thursday.

Girls golf

Mexico's Rowe ties for medal in Fulton

Mexico's Kennedi Rowe was right there with Fulton's best golfer.

She and Grace Ousley have each made trips to the state tournament in the past but made a trip to the top of the individual standings Monday night at Tanglewood Golf Course in Fulton. The two tied for for the medalist position after each shooting a 46.

Reagan Craig had Mexico's next best score at 67 followed close behind by Helen Waller's 70.

The Lady Bulldogs didn't have enough varsity golfers to factor in the team competition that was won by Fulton's 202 score against Hannibal and Moberly.

Mexico played in a tournament in Moberly on Tuesday before it heads to Kirksville for another tournament Tuesday.

Junior high softball

Mexico Middle School runner-up in Centralia

Mexico’s junior high softball team didn’t allow many runs Saturday in its tournament in Centralia.

Through three games, the Lady Bulldogs surrendered seven runs, but four of those were allowed in the 4-1 championship game they lost to North Callaway to take home second place.

Mexico defeated Hallsville 10-3 in the first round after scoring seven runs in the fourth inning to take the lead. The Lady Bulldogs then only gave up three hits while committing no errors in its 5-0 shutout of Highland.

7th grade football

Bulldogs lose tight defensive battle at Hannibal

Not many points were scored Sept. 6 in Mexico’s seventh-grade football’s game at Hannibal.

Still, the Pirates’ 14 points in the fourth quarter led to a North Central Missouri Conference loss for Mexico.

After going into the final quarter scoreless, a poorly executed punt by the Bulldogs on fourth down gave Hannibal great field position and an eventual 8-0 lead. Mexico made a last-ditch pass attempt to possibly tie the game but was intercepted and returned by Hannibal.

Some notable plays on Mexico’s side came from Luke Pezley, Kael Smith and Brysen Hammers.

Mexico moved to 0–1 going into its Tuesday game against Warrenton.