Erin Althoff lined the second pitch of the game into centerfield for a base hit and went to third on a throwing error on a ground ball by Emily Konkel. Althoff scored on a wild pitch and Konkel raced home when Lexie Niebrugge grounded a single between second and third to stake T-Town to a quick 2-0 lead.

The Lady Shoes then took control of the game with a five-run third. With one out, Konkel singled, Tia Probst walked and Lexie Niebrugge ripped a double into the right-centerfield gap that drove in both runners.

With two outs, Estella Mette grounded a base hit to left, driving in Niebrugge. Courtney Gibson reached on an error and Mallory Stone capped the inning with a two-run triple that sailed over the centerfielder’s head.

“This was definitely one of our better games offensively,” Tipton noted. “The girls really brought their bats today. They were swinging it well and came up with a lot of solid hits. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

And the top four hitters in the lineup – Althoff, Konkel, Probst and Lexie Niebrugge -- caused damage throughout the game. That foursome combined for 11 of the 15 hits and scored 12 of the 14 runs. Lexie Niebrugge had a terrific game, going 4-for-5 and driving in six runs. Althoff and Konkel each had three hits.

“What a combination those girls were,” Tipton said. “That’s why they’re at the top of the lineup and they’re doing a great job with it.”

The Lady Shoes increased their lead to 9-0 in the fourth on a two-run double by Kaylee Niebrugge.

St. Anthony got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. Sydney Kibler led off with a base hit and came around to score when Lucy Fearday hit a fly ball down the rightfield line that dropped in for a triple. Haley Niebrugge followed with another drive in virtually the same location with the same result – another RBI triple. Then with two outs, Alexis Stephens hit a pop-up that fell between the pitcher and first baseman that allowed Niebrugge to score and trim the lead to 9-3.

“We’ve been hitting the ball pretty well this year, but I sure wish we could have put up some more runs tonight,” said St. Anthony coach Mikayla Walsh. “I like to play small ball, but T-Town’s third baseman (Erin Althoff) was awesome. She took that away from us.

“It usually comes down to the team that plays the best defense will win,” Walsh added. “We made an error early and that seemed to dictate the whole game. We dug ourselves a hole, but I’m proud of how the girls battled.”

The Lady Bulldogs added a single tally in the fifth. Addie Wernsing had a one-out double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Sydney Kibler hit a fly ball.

But the Lady Shoes re-established control in the top of the sixth – and the top of the lineup was the catalyst again. Althoff and Konkel singled to get the four-run inning started. Probst then drove a pitch to the centerfield fence for an RBI double and Lexie Niebrugge lined up a base hit up the middle, driving home two more. She eventually scored on a wild pitch.

T-Town added its final run in the seventh on another RBI single by Lexie Niebrugge and the Lady Bulldogs scored their final two runs in the bottom of the inning. Addie Wernsing ripped a triple and scored on a wild pitch. Sydney Kibler walked and scored on Fearday’s second triple of the game.

Probst pitched all seven innings for the Lady Shoes to get the win. She gave up eight hits and six runs, while walking three and striking out three. Fearday went the first 3 innings for St. Anthony, allowing nine runs on seven hits. Wernsing pitched the final four frames.

“I thought Tia hit her spots and also made them chase some pitches,” Tipton noted. “She has been struggling a little with her control, but she did a good job tonight.”

The Lady Shoes improved to 7-1 in the Cross Creek Classic. Walsh became the first to both play and coach in the annual event. She actually played for Tipton at St. Anthony.

“I liked playing better,” Walsh said with a grin. “It’s always been a rivalry game and a game both schools look forward to. But it was a little different seeing her in the T-Town attire.”

The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 6-4 on the season. They will play Monday at South Central.

Teutopolis improved to 5-4. The Lady Shoes will play at home today (Saturday) against Mt. Zion.