Hearts Claim 4-3 Win Over Wooden Shoes

The Effingham Hearts posted a 4-3 win over the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes Monday night in action at Wooden Shoe Field.

The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

Effingham took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Hudson Graham drew a one-out walk and was doubled home one out later by Blake White.

The Shoes bounced back with their three runs in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Kyle Smith singled and then stole second. Jason Kenter singled Smith home to tie the game. Carson Hartke then doubled and Lee Hardiek singled him home to give Teutopolis the lead. After Tyler Westendorf reached on a fielder's choice, Devin Smith's fly ball brought Hartke home to make it 3-1.

Effingham got a big run back in the third. Brett Koester worked a leadoff walk and was wild pitched to second. With two outs, Lane Koenig singled Koester home to bring the Hearts within 3-2.

The last scoring in the game took place in the top of the fourth. Graham led off the inning with a double. Reed Schafer reached on a fielder's choice with Graham being retired at third. White then doubled to move Schafer to third, and Koester singled Schafer home to make it 3-3 and White later scored to put the Hearts in front 4-3.

The Hearts defense and pitching held the Shoes scoreless the rest of the game.

Ryan Barnes pitched into the third inning, allowing the three runs on five hits, walking one and striking out a batter. Colby Utz entered the game with an assortment of "junk" as Coach Chris Fleener termed it and kept the T-Town hitters off balance, working three innings and giving up four hits while striking out two. Brett Koester came in a quelled a potential rally with 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief, walking two and fanning two. Hudson Graham came to the mound in the seventh and got the final two outs to pick up the save with one walk and one strikeout. Utz got the win.

Devin Smith went the distance for Teutopolis, allowing four runs on 10 hits, walking two and striking out five.

At the plate for Effingham: Brett Koester--single, walk, run, RBI...Michael Woltman--single...Brent Beals--two singles...Lane Koenig--two singles, RBI...Mason Hull--single...Hudson Graham--double, walk, run...Reed Schafer--run...Blake White--two doubles, run, RBI

At the plate for Teutopolis: Devin Smith--single, sacrifice fly, RBI...Brock Bueker--two walks...Austin Johnson--two singles...John Kreke--walk...Kyle Smith--single, walk, run...Jason Kenter--single, run, RBI...Carson Hartke--two doubles, single, run...Lee Hardiek--single, RBI

Effingham improved to 14-5 with the win. Teutopolis slipped to 17-9.