Effingham pushed a run across in the bottom of the first. Grace Bushur led off with a base hit and eventually scored on a ground ball by Emma Hardiek.

But the Lady Bulldogs threated to pull away with a four-run third. Maddie Kibler and Karolewicz walked and Vonderheide beat out a bunt to load the bases. Anna Faber then walked to force in a run, Rios had another bunt single and Lucy Fearday lined a base hit to drive in two more and increase the St. Anthony lead to 11-1.

But the Lady Hearts made a game of it in the bottom of the third, scoring six runs on six hits. Bushur got a one-out single, Sawyer Althoff walked and both runners stole a base. Jaidi Davis then lined a double into left-centerfield, driving in two.

Jacy Boatman followed with an RBI single. A single by Taylor Armstrong and a walk to Tori Budde load the bases. Riley Cunningham followed with a two-run double and Abby Cunningham delivered an RBI double, helping EHS trim the lead to 11-7.

After that, neither team was able to mount much offense. The Lady Hearts scored their final run in the sixth on an RBI single by Hardiek and St. Anthony completed the scoring in the top of the seventh on a run-scoring double by Niebrugge.

Fearday got the win. She pitched the first two innings, then came back in relief of Wernsing with two outs in the third and pitched the rest of the way. She allowed four hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out three.

Armstrong pitched the first two innings for Effingham and took the loss. She allowed 10 runs on six hits and walked five. Riley Cunningham pitched the final five innings.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 8-4 on the season. They will return to action Tuesday at Flora.

The Lady Hearts dipped to 11-4. They are back in action today with an Apollo Conference game at home against Mattoon. The first game will start at 10 a.m.