It took awhile for the bats to come alive, but when they did, the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs rolled.

After being shutout for the first four innings, the Lady Bulldogs exploded for nine runs over the final three innings, en route to a 9-4 win over Effingham Friday afternoon in the final game of the annual City Series.

SAHS swept the three-game series to claim the championship plaque for the second year in a row and have extended their winning streak to 15 games.

The Lady Bulldogs trailed 2-0 when they came to bat in the top of the fifth. With one out, Stacie Vonderheide and Cameran Rios singled. Then with two outs, Addie Wernsing tied the game with a two-run double.

Effingham scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a pair of wild pitches, but St. Anthony came right back in the sixth. Lucy Fearday and Sydney Kibler both got base hits to get things started. One run scored on a passed ball and Abbie Hatton delivered a two-run double that put the Lady Bulldogs on top to stay.

SAHS then used the long ball in the seventh to take control. After Hailey Niebrugge walked and Kibler singled, Anna Faber unloaded, driving a pitch over the centerfield fence for a three-run homer. Hatton then stepped to the plate and launched another home run, this time over the leftfield fence.

Cameran Rios and Kibler both had three hits to lead St. Anthony’s 12-hit attack. Faber and Hatton both had three RBI, while Wernsing drove in a pair.

Kibler pitched the first five innings to get the win. She allowed six hits and four runs, while walking two and striking out five. Fearday pitched the final two innings.

The Lady Hearts took a 2-0 lead in the second. With one out, Abbie Cunningham singled and went to second on a ground out. Jennifer Jamison then had an RBI single, stole second and scored on a base hit by Natalie Armstrong.

Effingham is now 17-11 on the season.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 19-3 and will now open postseason play in the Teutopolis Regional. They will face either Pana or Paris in a semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The winner of that game will play for the regional championship at 4:30 p.m. Friday.