The deciding inning was the second. Maddie Kibler led off with a ground ball single between short and third and went to second on a passed ball. Sydney Kibler then hit a ground ball, but the throw trying to get Maddie at third was errant, which also allowed Sydney to make it to second base.

After Anna Faber popped out, Abbi Hatton singled to drive in one run. A wild pitch allowed the second run score and Hatton to go to second base. A bunt by Grace Karolewicz was misplayed for the second error of the inning, leaving runners at first and third.

Hatton scored on a ground out by Rios and Wernsing capped the four-run inning with a base hit up the middle to increase the lead to 5-0.

“Anytime a team gets on top early, it’s an advantage,” THS coach Crystal Tipton noted. “We didn’t get off to the start we hoped to, plus we misplayed a couple balls that didn’t help.”

Fearday was in control for most of the game. She retired the first seven T-Town batters before Summer Wall got a base hit with one out in the third. In the fourth, Konkel led off with a double down the third base line. She went to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kaylee Niebrugge.

But that was it offensively for the Lady Shoes. Fearday retired the final 12 batters of the game.

“Lucy was awesome,” Walsh said. “When she’s locked in and has her change-up working, she’s very affective. She pounds the strike zone and working the ball inside-out. If you can do that, plus throw a change-up in high school, you can be very affective. Plus, she had her curve ball working tonight. She threw a great game.”

Fearday finished with 73 pitches. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

The Lady Bulldogs added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to complete the scoring. Hatton ripped a single to center and went to second on a passed ball. Karolewicz followed with a base hit to center to drive in Hatton and then took second on the throw home. Rios then ground an RBI single up the middle.

Rios, Niebrugge and Hatton each had two hits in the 10-hit attack.

Courtney Gibson took the loss for the Lady Shoes. She went six innings, allowing 10 hits and seven runs, but only three of those were earned. She walked one and struck out three.

“On offense, I thought we watched too many strikes go by. It wasn’t our day at the plate,” Tipton said. “Courtney didn’t get settled in until later in the game. It just took her a while to find her rhythm. She wasn’t hitting her spots.”

This was the ninth year for the Cross Creek Classic. T-Town holds a 7-2 edge, but St. Anthony has won two of the last three games.

Tipton, who coached at St. Anthony before going to Teutopolis, has coached in each of the nine games so far – this being her second year at T-Town.

“This game is always a lot of fun,” she noted. “There’s always a lot of energy on both sides, plus a lot of people come out to watch. It’s a nice rivalry and great atmosphere for the kids.”

Walsh played in the game while attending St. Anthony High School and has now coached in her second Classic.

“The girls are always enthusiastic about this game,” she admitted. “It’s a good rivalry for us and the game is fun for everybody.”

Both teams are having a good season. Despite the loss, the Lady Shoes are still 14-5, and based on Friday night alone, having fun playing the game.

“That’s the No. 1 thing for me,” Tipton explained. “These girls aren’t going to be doing this for the rest of their life. But this gives them a chance to be part of a team and a group that’s positive and has fun. I try hard to install that mentality. That’s important to me.”

It was also a special night because her parents were at the game. They had been vacationing in Florida and were on their way back to Canada. They live near Windsor, Ontario.

“They’ve seen me coach before, but this was their first Cross Creek Classic,” Tipton noted. “It was great having them here. I learned how to play and how to coach from my dad. He was a high school baseball coach. He taught me everything I know.”

The Lady Bulldogs notched their eighth straight win to improve to 18-3.

“My coaching style is to be calm and cool and stay relaxed,” Walsh said. “I think our players respond to that. We’re having a good year so far. We just need to keep working hard and enjoying the game.”

The Lady Bulldogs will return to action Monday at home against Shelbyville.

St. Anthony returned to play today (Saturday) at the Tolono Unity Round Robin.