They say it’s hard to beat the same team three times in a season.

Even though it didn’t come easily, the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs proved it can be done.

They scored seven late runs Friday afternoon to pull away and post a 9-1 victory over Altamont in the championship game of Class 1A Regional C Tournament.

St. Anthony already owned victories over the Lady Indians by scores of 32-1 and 7-0, so they entered Friday’s championship game as heavy favorites. But for four innings, it was a tight game.

Altamont used two singles and an error to grab a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. But the Lady Bulldogs came back with two runs in the third to go on top to stay.

Grace Karolewicz led off with a base hit, went to second on a sacrifice bunt and came home on an RBI single by Cameron Rios. An error on her base hit allowed Rios to race all the way to third base and she then scored on a bunt by Addie Wernsing.

The game remained tight until the fifth. With two outs, SAHS put together a four-run rally that put them in control.

Wernsing singled and came around to score on a double by Hailey Niebrugge. Lucy Fearday followed with an RBI single, and for the second game in a row, Maddie Kibler belted a two-run homer that capped the inning.

The Lady Bulldogs then tacked on three more runs in the sixth. Rios and Niebrugge had RBI hits and the other run scored on an error.

That was more than enough support for Fearday, who pitched all seven innings to get the win. She allowed eight hits and one run, while walking one and striking out 11. Bailey Teasley took the loss for the Lady Indians.

Altamont had numerous scoring opportunities. The Lady Indians had 11 baserunners in the game, but just couldn’t get the timely hit. As a result, they left eight runners stranded.

The Lady Bulldogs, now 17-8 on the season, will advance to the sectional. They will host Hutsonville/Palestine at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bulldog Field. Hutsonville/Palestine defeated Cumberland County 9-8 in the finals of the Class 1A Regional B Tournament.