Jack Hoene drove in three runs and Brody Niebrugge turned in a strong pitching performance Friday afternoon, helping the St. Anthony Bulldogs post their first win of the season, a 5-2 decision at home over Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City.

Hoene drove in a run in the first with a ground ball and then put the Bulldogs ahead to stay with a two-run single in the second.

After giving up two runs in the opening inning, Niebrugge settled in and went five innings. He allowed just two hits and two runs, one of which was unearned. He walked three and struck out nine. Colton Fearday relieved in the sixth, and with two outs and two runners on base, Kennan Walsh came on to strike out the final batter and earn the save.

St. Anthony fell behind 2-0, but cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the first. Logan Antrim drew a lead-off walk, went to second on a wild pitch, stole third and scored on a ground ball by Hoene.

After two outs in the second, the Bulldogs put together what proved to be the winning rally. Eli Moore reached on an error, and Walsh and Antrim both walked to load the bases. Hoene then delivered a base hit up the middle that drove home two runs. He then stole second, and on the play, Antrim raced home with the third tally of the inning to give the hosts a 4-2 edge.

St. Anthony tacked on one more run in the fifth. Kaden Fearday walked, Davis Tingley singled and Fearday scored on a ground out by Aaron Webb.

The Bulldogs, now 1-2, will play today (Saturday) in the Wooden Bat Classic, hosted by Teutopolis.