Effingham Sweeps Doubleheader Friday

Effingham closed out its regular season in style Friday, sweeping a doubleheader from Belleville Althoff at EHS Field.

Effingham won the opener 5-2 and captured the nightcap 11-1 in six innings.

In the opener, the Hearts scored three times in the fourth and two times in the fifth, more than negating the two-run second inning posted by the Crusaders.  Effingham scored its five runs on eight hits with one error, while holding Althoff to three hits.

Hope Collier pitched a complete game, allowing the runs, both unearned, while walking five but striking out 10.

At the plate, Kaylee Tonn and Jenna Wright each had big games with two doubles and two RBI apiece.  Morgan Wilson tripled and singled, Collier singled and drove in a run, and Gloria Rivera singled.

In the nightcap, Althoff again took the lead with a first inning run, but the Hearts bounced back with four runs in the bottom of the frame and then added single runs in the second and fourth, added four in the fifth, and then ended the game with a run with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Collier again went the distance, allowing the one run on just three hits, walking four and striking out nine.

At the plate, Tonn continued her good day with two doubles and a single and drove in three runs.  Madison Weis doubled twice and drove in three runs, Wilson singled and drove in a run, Katelyn Lybarger singled twice and drove in a run, and Wright, Brittany Beals, Katie Roberts and Rivera each singled.

Effingham finished the regular season with a 13-14 record.  The Hearts begin regional play Wednesday at Salem against Breese Mater Dei.