The opener was a pitcher’s dual between Effingham’s Carter Braddy and St. Anthony’s Brady Hatton. Both hurlers allowed 10 baserunners, but were able to make big pitches when necessary.

The game-deciding tally came in the bottom of the fifth. Braddy and Colton Webb both singled to start the inning for the Hearts. Traub then lined an 0-1 pitch up the middle for a base hit. Braddy was waved home and scored just ahead of a strong throw from SAHS centerfielder Henry Brent.

The Effingham southpaw then set the side down in order in the sixth. In the top of the seventh, Vince Vogel led off with a single for St. Anthony. But an attempted sacrifice bunt was popped up and turned into a double play. Braddy then struck out the final batter to secure the win.

“I give all the credit to Carter and Max (Flack) behind the plate,” McNeely said. “We gave them the scouting report and they put a good game together. Carter mixed up his three pitches and worked his tail off. He seemed to get stronger as the game went on.”

The Hearts got on the scoreboard first with a tally in the second. Traub walked, went to second on a base hit by Flack and made it to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brody Boehm. He then scored on a wild pitch.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the top of the third. Hatton was hit by a pitch, went to second on a passed ball and to third on a ground out. Courtesy runner Tim Seiler then scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Aiden Lauritzen.

Effingham regained the lead in the bottom of the frame. Wyatt Hayes led off with a base hit, stole second and eventually scored on a long fly ball by Webb.

But the Bulldogs knotted the score at 2-2 in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Hatton was again hit by a pitch. Brock Fearday walked and Lauritzen looped a single over the shortstop’s head, allowing Seiler to race home.

Both teams had additional scoring opportunities. The Hearts stranded seven runners – six of which were in scoring position. They left the bases stranded in the fourth and had runners at second and third with no outs in the fifth, but were unable to score.

The Bulldogs stranded six runners, with three of those in scoring position.

Hatton pitched six innings for St. Anthony, allowing three runs and nine hits. He walked just one and struck out six, while throwing 96 pitches.

Braddy had a 93-pitch complete game. He gave up just five hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out three.

“This series is between two good teams,” said St. Anthony coach Tony Kreke. “Both are No. 1 seeds in the regional.

“This was a great game; a real pitcher’s duel,” Kreke added. “Hits and runs were hard to come by. We’re looking forward to game tomorrow night.”

The Bulldogs, who are now 18-7, are seeking their third straight City Series championship and fourth in five years.

The Hearts, who improved to 18-7, are looking to recapture the series plaque for the first time since 2022.

Game 3 will be played at 7 p.m. Friday back at Paul Smith Field.