Bulldogs Earn First-Ever Trip To State

The Bulldogs came through with a 4-1 victory over Marissa-Coulterville and will now face Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond in the first round of the Class 1A State Tournament Wednesday at Peoria Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.

St. Anthony scored first with a single run in the third inning. With two outs, Cameron Rios hit the second pitch and ran the bases for a home run and the Bulldogs were up 1-0.

Marissa/Coulterville came right back in the fourth inning to knot the score. Autumn Gilley led off with a single to centerfield. She was sacrificed over by Lainey Canning. Emily Smith then followed with a single that brought Gilley home. Lucy Fearday got the Bulldogs out of any further damage by striking out the next two batters.

The Bulldogs and Meteors went up and down in the fifth inning. St. Anthony then took the lead with a run in the fifth. With one out, Stacie Vonderheide doubled. She was sacrified to third by Grace Karolewicz. Alexis Stephens then singled Vonderheide home and the Bulldogs were up 2-1.

The Meteors rumbled in the sixth. Madi McDougal led off with a single. She was sacrificed over by Gilley. The Bulldogs got tough and got the second out on a grounder. Emily Smith then drew a walk before another ground out ended the frame and the Meteors failed to score.

St. Anthony then put the hurts on with two runs in the sixth. Addie Wernsing and Haley Niebrugge had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Lucy Fearday sacrificed the pair over to second and third. Maddie Kibler followed with a fielder's choice and Wernsing scored to move the score to 3-1. Sydney Kibler drew a walk. Vonderheide got on base on a fielder's choice as Niebrugge was thrown out going home. Karolewicz then drew a bases loaded walk forcing M. Kibler home. A fly ball ended the frame but the Bulldogs now held a 4-1 lead.

The first two batters for Marissa/Coulterville grounded out. Casey Daugherty singled, keeping the Meteors hopes alive but the next batter grounded out giving the Bulldogs their victory.

Fearday went the whole seven innings, allowing one run on five hits, one walk while striking out seven.

Grace Middendorf, who was 15-0 on the season, ended with her first loss, allowing four runs on five hits, three walks and striking out three. Marissa/Coulterville finished the season with a 16-1 record.

Coach Makayla Walsh's squad now sports a 20-8 record and will meet Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The other contest will feature Orangeville Co-op against Glasford Illini Bluffs, also at 10 a.m. Orangeville Co-op defeated Williamsfield Co-op 11-4 while Glasford Illini Bluffs was an 8-0 winner over Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran.

The winners of the first two games at State will meet at 2 p.m. for the championship while the losing teams will square off for third place at 1:30 p.m.

Class 1A Johnston City Super-Sectional

Marissa                  000    100    0    --    1-5-2

St. Anthony           001    012    x    --    4-5-0

WP -- Fearday. LP -- Middendorf.

Marissa/Coulterville -- Gilley, single; Smith, single; Daugherty, single; McDougal, 2 singles

St. Anthony -- Rios, home run, 1 RBI; Wernsing, single; Niebrugge, single; M. Kibler, 1 RBI; Vonderheide, double; Stephens, single