Effingham Moves Into Sectional Title Contest With Win

The Hearts jumped all over Troy Triad in the first inning and when the dust had settled, EHS held a 7-0 lead.

Jack Harper got the Hearts started with a double. Kaden Koeberlein drew a walk and Camden Raddatz singled to load the bases. Quest Hull followed with an RBI double that scored two runs. Myles Maxedon drew a walk to again load the bases. Colten Webb then drew a walk for an RBI. With one out, Spencer Fox doubled home two runs for a 5-0 lead. With two outs, Harper came around to bat again and drew a walk. Koeberlein then doubled home two more runs and the Hearts led 7-0.

Meanwhile, Triad's lone hit through the first four innings came in the second when Carter Vandever had a single. But the Hearts pulled off a double play to get out of the inning.

EHS tallied its eighth run in the second as Hull knocked out his second double and took third on a wild pitch. He came home on a fielder's choice.

Triad put its second runner on base when T.J. Sutter drew a walk but a strikeout ended the fourth.

The Hearts tallied their final run in the fourth as Raddatz drew a walk. Hull and Maxedon were hit by back-to-back pitches. With one out, Evan Waymoth singled home Raddatz.

Triad finally broke loose with two runs in the fifth. Vandever led off the frame with a walk. With one out, McGrady Noyes was walked. On a ball hit by Wyatt Sutter, there was an error and the first run scored. Hayden Burger's sacrifice fly scored the second run. The Hearts then got out of further damage when Sutter attempted to steal and Maxedon threw him out to end the frame.

Triad had three more runners over the next two innings, all on walks, but couldn't get them home.

Koeberlein singled in the fifth for the Hearts but was left stranded. Webb was hit by a pitch and stole second but was left on base in the sixth.

While the Hearts were on offensively, Josh McDevitt threw a gem on the mound. The righty lasted seven innings, allowing two runs on one hit while striking out 10.

The Hearts improved to 20-15 on the season while Triad ended with a 26-12 mark.

In the opener, Mount Vernon defeated Mascoutah, 4-2.

The Hearts will now take on Mount Vernon Saturday at 11 a.m. for the sectional championship. The winner will advance to the Decatur Super-Sectional at Millikin University Monday for a 6 p.m. contest against the winner of the Lincoln Sectional, either Rochester, who downed Mahomet-Seymour 6-2 Wednesday, or Chatham Glenwood or Champaign Central who play today at 4:30 p.m.

Class 3A Centralia Sectional

Troy Triad                 000    020    0    --    2-1-2

Effingham                710    100    x    --    9-7-1

WP -- McDevitt. LP -- Coon.

Troy Triad -- Vandever, single

Effingham -- Harper, double; Koeberlein, double; Raddatz, single; Hull, 2 doubles, 2 RBI; Webb 1 RBI; Waymoth, single, 1 RBI; Fox, double, 2 RBI