Vonderheide made it 3-0 in the third when she launched an 0-2 pitch well over the fence in left-centerfield. That was the 40th home run of the season for the St. Anthony squad.
The Lady Shoes had an excellent scoring chance in the third. A single by Zerrusen and a double by Olivia Copple put runners at second and third with just one out. Summer Wall followed with a hard-hit line drive, but it went right to SAHS shortstop Lily Gannaway for the second out. The next batter struck out to end that threat.
T-Town didn’t let another scoring opportunity get away in the fourth. The first two batters – Chloe Hoene and Olivia Hemmen – reached base after being hit by a pitch. The Lady Shoes reached base that way six times in the game.
Kylie Borries followed with a line drive to centerfield. Vonderheide made a diving attempt, but couldn’t make the catch. The ball rolled toward the centerfield fence and both runners raced home on the two-base hit. Then with two outs, pinch-hitter Mallory Bloemer blooped a single into short left field, driving in the run and tying the score at 3-3.
“After scoring those early runs, I thought we got complacent at the plate,” Taylor said. “We started second-guessing ourselves as to which pitches to take and which ones to swing at. But I have a lot of confidence in this team and their ability to score runs.”
The Lady Bulldogs took the lead for good in the fifth. Maddie Kibler led off with a base hit. After Vonderheide was hit by a pitch – St. Anthony was hit three times in the game – Julia Schultz delivered a single into right field that made it 4-3.
SAHS added some cushion in the sixth. With one out, Hatton singled, and when Sydney Kibler’s ground ball was misplayed for an error, the runners ended up at second and third. One run scored on a ground ball by Maddie Kibler and Vonderheide then came through with a two-out single to make it 6-3. Vonderheide had two hits and drove in three runs for the game.
“I love our lineup because you never know who’s going to be hot on any given day,” Taylor said. “It’s somebody different every game. Today, Stacie had some big hits for us.
“We had several hits after two were out,” the coach added. “With this group, it doesn’t matter how many outs we have. This team finds a way to get on base and then get runners in. They just find a way to come through.”
Hemmen belted a solo home run in the top of the seventh, but when the final two Teutopolis batters were retired, the Lady Bulldogs had another regional plaque and a berth in the sectional.
“In the postseason, every team is good,” Taylor noted. “It’s a whole new ballgame. You better come ready to play.”
The Lady Shoes finished their season with a 17-18 record.
The Lady Bulldogs, who improved to 27-3 on the season, now advance to the Monticello Sectional. They will face the winner of the St. Joseph-Ogden Regional at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“I am so proud of these girls,” Taylor admitted. “I’ve watched them grow up these last four years. Looking back at when they went to state as freshmen in 2021, I’ve watched them mature so much. Yes, they’re good softball players. But they’re even better people. And that’s what I’m most proud of.”
