The Dieterich Maroons exploded for seven first-inning runs and then hung on for a 9-8 win at home Tuesday over St. Anthony.

The host Maroons combined four hits, three walks and hit batter to tally seven times in the opening inning. That uprising included a two-run homer by Matt Hunzinger, and two-run single by Pete Britton and three walks with the bases loaded.

Dieterich added a single run in the second and held an 8-2 lead heading into the fifth inning. That’s when the Bulldogs started their comeback.

Logan Antrim led off with a base hit and eventually scored on a fly ball by Colton Fearday. Will Hoene added an RBI single and Kennan Walsh capped the four-run frame with a two-run double to trim the lead to 8-6.

The Maroons got an RBI single from Britton in the bottom of the sixth and that proved to be the difference when Walsh belted a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the seventh.

Britton finished with three hits and three RBI, while Hunzinger had a pair of hits and drove in two runs. Dalton Will pitched the first 4.1 innings to get the win and Hunzinger pitched the final 2.1 frames to earn the save.

Josh Blanchette took the loss.

The Bulldogs dropped to 16-5 on the season. They will now compete in the Class 1A Regional A as the No. 1 seed. Their first game will be Friday, June 4, against either Hutsonville or Oblong. Game time is 4:30 p.m. at Evergreen Hollow Park.

The winner will play for the championship of that regional on Monday, June 7. The winner will play either Dieterich or North Clay. Game time has not yet been set.