Hearts Earn Split in Friday Doubleheader

The Effingham Hearts split a doubleheader with Bethalto Civic Memorial Friday, fighting back for a dramatic 6-5 win in the nightcap after dropping the opener 3-1.

In the second game, the Hearts trailed Civic Memorial 5-2 after Civic Memorial scored a run in the top of the seventh, but Effingham scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to post the win.

Brett Koester started the game for the Hearts and allowed four runs on four hits and six walks while fanning four. Lane Koenig was announced to replace Koester with one out in the fourth, but was then replaced without throwing a pitch by Colby Utz, who pitched 1-2/3 scoreless and hitless innings, walking one and striking out one. Nick Bishop pitched the final two innings, allowing an unearned run while walking one and fanning one, giving up no hits in his stint and securing the win.

At the plate for Effingham, Koester had two base hits and scored a run; Ryan Sandifer walked, scored and drove in a run; Brent Beals singled twice and walked, scored and drove in a run; Koenig singled twice and scored a run; Mason Hull singled and walked, scored and drove in a run; Parker Seachrist forced in a run with a base-loaded walk; Zach Lee singled and drove in two runs in the seventh inning rally; and Bryce Lohman doubled and scored.

In the opener, the Hearts were victimized by their own defense, committing five errors in the contest. Sandifer pitched six innings and allowed just two unearned runs on six hits and a walk while fanning six. Utz pitched the final inning, allowing an unearned run on one hit with a strikeout.

At the plate for Effingham, Sandifer walked twice and scored; Beals doubled and singled and drove in the Hearts' lone run; Kendal Ballman singled and walked; and Utz singled twice.

The Hearts' scheduled Saturday action at Centralia was rained out.

Effingham is ready to begin post-season play Wednesday in the Mahomet-Seymour 3A Regional. Game time is 4pm as the Hearts, the top seed, will take on the winner of Monday's Rantoul vs Champaign Centennial game.