Anthony Budnaura blasted a pair of home runs and drove in four runs and Aiden Dodson added a two-run shot, helping the North Clay Cardinals rally from an early deficit and post a 7-4 victory at home Monday over Teutopolis.
The Shoes grabbed a quick three-run lead and was on top 4-1 before North Clay used the long ball to come back.
Budnaura belted a solo home run in the fourth, then ripped a three-run homer in the fifth to put the Cardinals on top. Dodson capped the scoring with another four-bagger, driving home two in the bottom of the sixth.
Things looked good early for T-Town. Sam Bushur led off the game with a walk. With one out Kayden Althoff got his first of three hits and Derek Konkel followed with a two-run double. On the play, Konkel ended up coming all the way around to score, staking the Shoes to a 3-0 lead.
North Clay scored a single tally in the second, but THS responded in the fourth. Cade Buehnerkemper walked, went to second on an error and scored on an RBI single by Dylan Pruemer. The Shoes did get hits in each of the final three innings, but were unable to score further runs.
Kayden Althoff went the first 4.2 innings and took the loss. He allowed five hits and five runs, while walking three and striking out eight. Pruemer pitched the rest of the way. Spencer Johnson relieved in the third inning for North Clay and got the win.
The Shoes dropped to 3-7 on the season. They will return home to face Woodlawn today (Tuesday).