Effingham Takes Game One Of City Softball Series

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Published on May 13 2021 6:47 am
Last Updated on May 13 2021 7:15 am
Written by Millie Lange

Effingham St. Anthony moved into the lead in the first inning but Effingham tied the score in the third then had a five-run fourth and went on to claim the first victory of the City Softball Series Wednesday at EHS Field by a 7-3 tally.

"It was a good win for us," said EHS Coach Jerry Trigg. "We got behind early but we didn't panic."

The Bulldogs struck as first batter Cameron Rios led off the opening inning with a single. Addie Wernsing followed with a single. With runners on first and second, EHS pitcher Jaidi Davis got tough, striking out the next two batters. But the Bulldogs weren't done. Haley Niebrugge followed with a single that drove in Rios.

That lead held until the third. Effingham's Riley Cunningham singled with one out. Abby Cunningham reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second. Grace Bushur followed with a double down the left field line that brought A. Cunningham home and knotted the score.

The Bulldogs got two runners on base with back-to-back walks but couldn't get them home in the fourth. Then in the bottom of the frame, Effingham cut loose.

Davis led off with a single to aid her own cause. Emma Hardiek was hit by a pitch. Jacy Boatman followed with a single that scored both runners. Taylor Armstrong followed with a single that scored Boatman. Tori Budde followed with a single but St. Anthony came up with a double play as Riley Cunningham grounded out. Abby Cunningham then followed with a single that drove in the fourth run and R. Cuningham came home on Bushur's second single of the contest.

When the dust had cleared, the Hearts held a 6-1 lead. EHS pushed across a final run in the sixth for a 7-1 lead as Tori Budde led off with a single, stole second and third and came home on a fielder's choice.

St. Anthony mounted a rally in the seventh to score two runs as Grace Karolewicz drew a walk, Stacie Vonderheide reached on a single and Alexis Stephens loaded the bases with a single. EHS got tough and got two outs, but Sydney Kibler drew a walk to score a run and Lucy Fearday followed with an RBI walk before the game ended.

Davis threw a six-hitter allowing five walks and striking out six.

"Once we got ahead we could relax a little bit and play our game," said Coach Trigg. "Hitting was contagious. Jaidi let up a little but St. Anthony is a good-hitting team."

The Hearts improved to 10-3 on the season.

"We started off awesome then got complacent," said St. Anthony Coach Makayla Walsh. "Davis is one of the best pitchers we've seen all season. The third time around we strung some hits together. I was happy the way we ended the game with two more runs.

"Lucy threw a good game. I've been pitching her a lot. We just look forward to tomorrow because it's a new day."

The Bulldogs drop to 7-4 with the loss.

Game two is today at Bulldog Field behind St. Anthony High School at 4 p.m. Listen on KJ Country 102.3.

At EHS Field

St. Anthony           100    000    2    --    3-   6-1

Effingham              001    501    x    --    7-10-0

WP -- Davis. LP -- Fearday.

St. Anthony -- Rios, single; S. Kibler, 1 RBI; Wernsing, single; Fearday, double, 1 RBI; Niebrugge, single, 1 RBI; Vonderheide, single; Stephens, single

Effingham -- Bushur, single, double, 2 RBI; Davis, single, double; Boatman, single, 2 RBI; Armstrong, single, 1 RBI; Budde, 2 singles; R. Cunningham, single; A. Cunningham, single 1 RBI; Niebrugge, 1 RBI