If that wasn’t enough, Schwerdt also got the pitching win, turning in four strong innings in relief of Mitch Hardiek. Schwerdt didn’t allow a hit, walked two and struck out one while throwing just 55 pitches. Hardiek pitched the first three innings and allowed only three hits. He walked two and fanned two.

“Mitch and Trenton both threw the ball well,” Fleener said. “They controlled their pitches, kept the ball down and pitched to contact. I thought they both did a great job on the mound.”

Other than the two-run fifth, it was an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel. St. Anthony’s Gavin Braunecker also turned in a strong performance over five innings. The Bulldogs senior lefty gave up just five hits and the two runs, while walking two and striking out nine.

“Gavin was exceptional,” St. Anthony coach Tony Kreke said. “He was in command of all three of his pitches. He established his fastball, spotted his off-speed pitches and was hitting the corners. It just came down to that one pitch and Schwerdt put a good swing on it.”

Despite being limited to three hits, Kreke was not overly disappointed.

“We were able to put the bat on the ball the entire game,” he noted. “Our mindset is we go up hunting fastballs. We just didn’t find any holes tonight.”

The Bulldogs got a lead-off single on the first pitch of the game from Kaden Fearday. He stole second with two outs, but the next three batters were retired.

St. Anthony’s best scoring chance came in the second. Aaron Webb blooped a single into left and with one out, Braunecker lined a base hit into center. But Eli Moore bounced into a double play to end the inning.

After that, the Bulldogs had only two baserunners over the final five innings and they came on walks in the fourth and seventh.

“Pitching, defense and timely hitting. That’s what we focus on,” Kreke said. “And we pay attention to details. Like many games, tonight came down to timely hitting. We needed to give Gavin better support.”

“This was a very good game,” Fleener noted. “Both teams have things to work on, but it’s just August 28 and Game 2 of the season. It’s been a long time since June 1. We’re starting over, calibrating back in and filling some holes.”

The Shoes, 2-0 on the young season, will play today (Thursday) at home against Neoga and then host the annual Wooden Bat Classic Saturday.

St. Anthony, 0-2, will return home Friday to face Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City and then participate in the Wooden Bat Class Saturday.