Effingham Junior Legion Advances To Championship

After defeating Dieterich Thursday and losing to top seed Newton in a close contest Saturday, Effingham Junior Legion Post 120 earned consecutive victories against Olney, Breese and Teutopolis to advance to the championship game against Carlisle tonight at 5:30.

Effinham went 4-1 over the weekend thanks to some heroic hitting and pitching efforts by the team. Sunday, Effingham found itself trailing 5-0 in the first inning against Breese and facing elimination. Pitchers Brett Koester and Brent Beals entered the game to stem the tide and Beals earned the victory after Effingham scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win 7-6.

The victory allowed Effingham to play rival Teutopolis in the last game of the day and for the right to advance in division play. Effingham scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings and three in the seventh and secure a 5-2 victory against Teutopolis. Beals and Drew Gibson pitched four and three innings respectively to earn the victory and the save.

Effingham is now 20-7 on the season and will play Carlyle tonight for the right to advance to division play.

"We'll have to rely on our pitching depth tonight after playing our the fifth game in three days," said Coach Chris Koester.

In Saturday games, Dieterich beat Vandalia, while Teutopolis edged Breese 3-2, Effingham lost to Newton,  Breese beat Dieterich and Effingham won over Olney.

Newton defeated Teutopolis in the opening game Sunday before Effingham took the back-to-back wins over Breese and Teutopolis.