As many anticipated, the sectional championship will feature the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Rockets of Tolono Unity.

These two teams have been on a collision course since meeting in the season opener. And Saturday morning, these two talented softball teams will meet for the chance to advance to the super sectional.

Tolono Unity posted a 9-1 win Tuesday over Maroa-Forsyth and St. Anthony followed with an 8-6 decision over Bloomington Central Catholic to set up the championship game of the Class 2A Maroa-Forsyth Sectional.

The Lady Bulldogs fell behind early, but then scored eight runs over three innings – getting a pair of RBI from both Hailey Niebrugge and Adysen Rios -- to rally for the win.

The Lady Saints used a walk and an error to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. But St. Anthony responded quickly, pushing five runs across in the top of the second.

Sydney Kibler walked to start the inning. Three straight sacrifice bunts resulted in a pair of errors and actually allowed three runs to score. Adysen Rios then singled and raced to third on a base hit by Cameron Rios. On the throw to third, Cameron scooted into second. Niebrugge then delivered a two-out single that drove both runners home.

St. Anthony increased its lead to 7-2 in the second. Sydney Kibler doubled and went to third on a base hit by Lucy Fearday. Then with two outs, Adysen Rios lined a triple that drove in both runners.

With two outs in the fourth, Maddie Kibler smacked a solo home run over the left field fence.

Bloomington Central Catholic narrowed the gap with a four-run fifth. The Lady Saints combined two walks and three hits.

Fearday was the winning pitcher. She allowed just four hits and six runs in her seven innings of work. She walked four and struck out 10, while throwing 100 pitches.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 26-4 on the season.

Tolono Unity will enter the sectional final with a 24-8 record. The Lady Rockets defeated SAHS 8-1 back on April 14 in the season opener for both teams.

The sectional championship is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday. The winner will advance to the Decatur Super-Sectional, which will be played at 11 a.m. Monday.