The lead stayed the same until the sixth, although the Bulldogs had other scoring chances. They got a one-out double by Brody Niebrugge in the second, but the next two hitters struck out. They had the bases loaded again in the fourth with just out, but another baserunning miscue turned an infield pop-up into a double play. SAHS also received two walks in the sixth, but failed to deliver a hit.

The Hatchets were able to build on their lead in the top of the sixth. Graham Casey ripped a double into the right-centerfield gap. Carter Chaney then reached on an infield single and went to the second on a play at third. An error allowed one run to score and the second came home on a successful double steal.

WSS then blew the game open with a six-run seventh. Kasey had a two-run double and Chaney and Austin Wittenberg both delivered two-run singles.

“Hitting is contagious and they’re a good hitting team,” Kreke said. “They were able to get hits with runners on base and build that lead.”

The Bulldogs didn’t go down quietly in the seventh. Adams doubled and scored on a base hit by Colton Fearday. Levitt singled, the two runners moved up a base on a wild pitch and Angelo Mendella drove both home with a single. After a double play cleared the bases, Link doubled, Hoene single and Niebrugged added an RBI single before the final out was record.

“Had we not hit into the double play, you never know how things might have gone,” Kreke said. “You could tell we were a little more relaxed at the plate in that seventh inning. We let our normal swings do the work. We just weren’t able to get our bats going until it was too late. But I was proud of how the kids showed some fight.”

Both teams finished with 12 hits. St. Anthony left 10 runners stranded, while WSS left 7.

Kasey, who the Bulldogs beat earlier in the season, came within one out of pitching a complete game for the Hatchets. He went 6.2 innings, allowing 11 hits and five runs. He walked five and struck out six while throwing 113 pitches.

“He comes right at you with his fastball,” Kreke said. “We knew what we would get. But he kept his composure and did a good job.”

Levitt pitched six innings and took the loss for St. Anthony. He allowed eight hits and four runs, while walking three and striking out six. Brock Fearday and Niebrugge pitched the seventh.

The Bulldogs saw their season come to an end with a 19-10 record.

“I thought we made great strides from the fall,” Kreke noted. “We finished with 19 wins and a regional championship. That’s something we can be proud of.”

The Hatchets, now 21-4, will face the North Clay Cardinals, who have a 29-6 mark. The sectional championship will be at 11 a.m. Saturday.