Hearts Advance to Regional Championship Game

The Effingham Hearts posted their 20th victory of the season in winning 5-0 over the Salem Wildcats in semifinal action at the Class 3A Effingham Baseball Regional Wednesday night at Paul Smith Field in Community Park.

The two teams were scoreless through the first two innings. The Hearts then tallied a run in the third, tacked on another run in the fourth, two in the fifth and finished out with one in the sixth.

EHS had six hits in the contest led by Reed Schafer with two singles, a double and two RBI. Carter Hayes had a home run and two RBI. 

Braydon Bone picked up the pitching win on a three-hitter with two walks and six strikeouts.

The Hearts advance to the regional championship game Saturday at 10 a.m. against the Charleston Trojans. Charleston won the other semifinal game Wednesday, 7-1, over the Centralia Orphans.

Class 3A Effingham Regional

Effingham          001    121    0    --    5-6-1

Salem                 000    000    0    --    0-3-1

WP -- Bone. LP -- Irwin.

Effingham -- Poland, single; Hayes, home run, 2 RBI; Graham, single; Schafer, 2 singles, double, 2 RBI

Salem -- Irwin, single; McIntosh, single; Steward, single