Derek Konkel blasted a first-inning, three-run homer and the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes then used a three-run fifth to break a tie, en route to a 7-4 victory Friday at St. Anthony.

It was the seventh win in eight games for the Shoes and avenged a 16-12 loss to the Bulldogs earlier in the season.

It started off great for the guests. The first four batters all reached base.

Sam Bushur and Mitch Althoff walked to start the game. Kayden Althoff singled up the middle to drive in Bushur and Konkel followed with a three-run shot that sailed over the leftfield fence that staked T-Town to the quick 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs rallied to tie the game in the second. Brody Niebrugge walked and Beau Adams reached on an error. A wild pitch allowed the first run to score. Then with two outs, Eli Levitt singled and another error loaded the bases. Angelo Mendella lined a base hit to drive in two and Colton Fearday capped the four-run frame with an RBI single.

It stayed 4-4 until the pivotal fifth. Bushur, again, led things off with a base hit. An error and a single by Kayden Althoff loaded the bases. Konkel grounded into a double play, but the go-ahead run scored. Before the inning was over, Logan Roepke and Cade Buehnerkemper delivered two-out, run-scoring singles to put the Shoes up by three runs.

The Bulldogs were limited to just four hits and only one after the four-run second. That was a lead-off single by Brock Fearday leading off the sixth.

Kayden Althoff almost turned in a complete game. He went 6.2 innings, but was forced to leave after reaching the pitch count. He threw 106. Althoff allowed four hits and four unearned runs, while striking out eight and walking two. Burhnerkemper came in to get the final out.

Colton Fearday took the loss. He went the first 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs, but only four were earned. He struck out six and walked four. Levitt pitched the final 2.1 innings and held THS scoreless, giving up just one hit.

The Bulldogs had their four-game winning streak snapped and dipped to 12-5 on the season. They are scheduled to play Monday at Odin.

T-Town improved to 10-8. The Shoes played host to Putnam County today (Saturday).