Lucy Fearday had been dominant the first few innings. The Lady Bulldogs pitcher retired the first seven hitters she faced and after Abbie Cunningham grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out in the bottom of the third, it appeared to be another easy inning.

But courtesy runner Daelyn Dunston stole second – the first of 10 stolen bases by the Lady Hearts -- and then Bushur lined a pitch down the third base line for a double that drove in the tying run.

Then the hits started piling up in the fourth.

Jaidi Davis led off with a single and Emma Hardiek was hit by a pitch. After a double steal, Jacy Boatman drove a base hit into right field, driving home both runners and putting EHS on top to stay. After Boatman stole second, Taylor Armstrong singled to drive home the third run of the inning.

Armstrong went to third base on a base hit by Tori Budde, who then stole second. Abbie Cunningham also collected an RBI single and Bushur capped the five-run frame with a run-scoring base hit up the middle.

“We got behind early, but we didn’t panic,” Trigg noted. “We started hitting the ball hard and the hits started falling in. The girls stayed aggressive at the plate and we were also aggressive on the base paths.”

The Bulldogs started the game in impressive fashion. Their first two batters – Cameron Rios and Addie Wernsing – reached on infield singles. After the next two batters were retired, Hailey Niebrugge delivered a two-out RBI single to stake St. Anthony to an early 1-0 lead.

But after that, Davis clamped down on the SAHS batters. She retired the next nine batters in a row. Between the first and seventh innings, she allowed just one hit – a one-out double by Fearday in the sixth – and back-to-back walks with two outs in the fourth.

She lost a little of her control in the seventh. She walked Grace Karolewicz to start the inning, followed by singles from Stacey Vonderheide and Alexis Stephens to load the bases. She retired the next two batters, but then walked Sydney Kibler and Fearday to force home a pair of runs before getting the final out.

Davis allowed six hits, while walking five and striking out six in seven innings of work.

“After that first inning, Jaidi said ‘no more,’” Trigg said. “She didn’t get rattled at all. She just settled down and started pitching.”

Fearday took the loss for the Lady Bulldogs. She allowed seven runs on 10 hits. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out three.

“We started out awesome, but then get complacent,” said St. Anthony coach Makayla Walsh. “Give credit to Davis. She was awesome. She’s the best pitcher we’ve seen this season.

“We did get locked back in late in the game,” Walsh added. “I’m disappointed in the outcome, but I’m happy with how we finished the game. Tomorrow is a new game. Hopefully we’ll bring it like we did those last few innings today.”

Game 2 of the City Series will be played today (Thursday) at Bulldog Field. Game time is 4 p.m. St. Anthony is now 7-4 on the season, while EHS improved to 10-3.

Game 3 is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at the Effingham softball diamond.

“The girls are always excited about the City Series,” Trigg said. “There’s two good teams going at it and it’s always competitive. It’s a great rivalry.”