St. Anthony Reaches State Tournament

The St. Anthony Bulldogs are returning to the state baseball tournament for the first time in 20 years after posting a 7-0 victory Monday to win the Marion Class 1A Super-Sectional.  The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

Meanwhile, the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes fell one win short of a third consecutive trip to the state tournament, falling to Trenton Wesclin 3-1 at the Sauget Class 2A Super-Sectional.  The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com.

St. Anthony is now 29-8-1, a new school record for victories in a spring season.  The Bulldogs will take on Alton Marquette who defeated Pawnee 5-4 Monday to win the Springfield 1A Super-Sectional.  Game time will be 10am Friday at O'Brien Field in Peoria.  Lena Winslow will take on Tuscola in the other semifinal game at noon Friday.  The winners Friday will play for the 1A state championship Saturday at 11am; the Friday losers will play Saturday at 9am for third place.

St. Anthony took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run home run by Austin Bushur, then added three more in the second inning to lead 6-0.  The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the fifth inning. 

Ben Hecht went 4-1/3 innings before tiring, allowing just one hit.  Zach Gardewine went the final 2-2/3 innings to seal the win.

The Wooden Shoes were unsuccessful in coming back after getting behind 2-1.  Wesclin scored a late run to conclude the scoring.

Teutopolis ends a great season with a 31-9 record.