“This team has so much fire, grit and competitiveness,” said St. Anthony coach Makayla Taylor. “We played well all seven innings and really picked each other up throughout the game.

“Even when they cut into the lead, I was never concerned,” Taylor added. “I knew we needed to score early and then add some insurance runs. I wasn’t surprised Quincy came back. When you get this deep into the season, all the teams are good.”

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Raiders got a lead-off walk and a one-out single to put the tying and potential winning runs on base. But the next batter hit a ground ball that the St. Anthony defense turned into a double play, ending the contest and clinching a state tournament berth for the second time in three years.

The Lady Bulldogs will now compete in the Final Four at the Louisville Sluggers Sports Complex in Peoria. The Class 2A semifinals will be played Friday, with the third place and championship games set for Saturday.

“This state run has been huge for us, our program, plus the past and future players,” Taylor noted. “It really shows that we can compete no matter what classification we’re in.

“Over the past four years I’ve been coaching, there has never been a time I didn’t believe we could get to this point again,” Taylor added. “It was a matter of how much they wanted it. These girls have continued to prove to us coaches daily that they are a state-caliber team with their work ethic, determination and drive.”

It looked like the Bulldogs might turn the game into a blowout in the early going. Within six pitches, they had a three-run lead.

Lead-off batter Cameran Rios lined the first pitch of the contest for a triple. Addy Rios then smacked a double, driving in the first run, and Addie Wernsing belted the second pitch she saw over the leftfield fence. Before most fans had even settled into their seats, St. Anthony had a 3-0 lead.

But as it turned out, it wasn’t going to be that easy.

Quincy Notre Dame, who ended its season at 24-5, responded in the bottom of the frame. A hit batter and a single got things going. A fielder’s choice drove in the first run and an error allowed two more runs to score, tying the game at 3-3.

The Lady Bulldogs went ahead to stay in the second. Abbie Hatton doubled and Stacie Vonderheide lined an RBI triple. Cameran Rios followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3.

SAHS added on two more runs in the fifth and they proved to be valuable. Again, it was the top of the order that struck.

With one out, Cameron Rios singled and came around to score when her sister, Addy, doubled. Wernsing then drove in her third run of the game with a base hit, increasing the margin to 7-3.

But the Lady Raiders closed the gap in the bottom of the fifth. Two walks and an error loaded the bases. Alyssa Ley then delivered a bases-clearing double that closed the gap to 7-6.

That was the final tally of the game.

Taylor said she wanted her hitters to attack early.

“We had watched a lot of game film of their pitcher (Caitlyn Bunte),” she explained. “We knew she really worked the corners, so we tried to take advantage of that right away.

“We did a little bit of everything,” Taylor said. “If the first pitch was a strike, I wanted them to attack early. But I also like it when we work the count. We have a great offensive team and we’re really strong when we work the count and make the pitcher throw more.”

Lucy Fearday pitched all seven innings to get the win. She allowed four hits and six runs, but only four were earned. She walked four and struck out six in her 110-pitch performance.

“Our plan was for Lucy to work the corners, too, and throw change-ups,” Taylor noted. “She threw a lot of great change-ups today that were super effective.”

The Lady Bulldogs, now 24-3, will advance to the state tournament and face two-time defending champion Taylor Ridge (Rockridge). That game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Beecher and Johnson City are also in the Final Four. Those teams will square off at 3 p.m. Friday. The games Saturday will be at 1 p.m. (third place) and 3:30 p.m. (championship)

Taylor Ridge has built quite a dynasty over the past three seasons, compiling a 90-1 overall record during that span. They were 29-0 two years ago, 35-0 last season and are 36-1 heading into this state tournament, their only blemish being a 1-0 setback to Ottawa on April 8.

The Rockets earned a trip to the state tournament by defeating Rock Falls 14-2 in the East Peoria Super Sectional.

“They are a very solid team,” Taylor admitted. “They have been the state champions the past two years. But I’m really excited to see our ladies compete against a great program.”

And Taylor loves being back at the state tournament.

“It’s fantastic,” she said. “I’m happy to be back at this point. We’ve got a great group of coaches and players, plus we’ve got awesome fans.”