Kaiden Nichols scattered five hits and the Effingham Hearts took advantage of mistakes Wednesday afternoon to post a 4-0 victory over Charleston in a semifinal game of the Salem Class 3A Regional.

The Green Wave had baserunners in every inning, and had the bases loaded in both the second and fifth innings, but Nichols was able to squelch each scoring opportunity. He walked four and struck out nine, while throwing 116 pitches. Jude Traub relieved in the seventh and recorded the final two outs.

The Hearts scored their first run in the bottom of the second without benefit of a hit. Spencer Fox drew a lead-off walk. After two passed balls, he was able to advance to third base and then stole home to put EHS on top to stay.

Effingham tacked on three more runs in the fifth. Brody Boehm singled and Nichols walked to lead off the inning. Kaden Koeberlein then laid down a bunt that resulted in a throwing error by Charleston’s third baseman, allowing both Boehm and Nichols to race home. Cam Raddatz capped the inning with an RBI single.

The Hearts improved to 21-10 on the season. They will play for the regional championship on Saturday. They will face either Mattoon or Salem at 11 a.m.

The Effingham Hearts used a four-run third inning to take the lead and went on to post an 8-3 victory Friday afternoon at Civic Memorial in Bethalto.

The hosts grabbed a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, but the third proved to be pivotal for EHS.

Kaiden Nichols led off with a walk. With one out, Cam Raddatz singled and both runners moved up on a fly ball. Spencer Fox then delivered a clutch two-run single to tie the game. An error allowed another run to cross the plate and Braden Verdeyen capped the inning with an RBI double.

A sacrifice fly by Fox accounted for a single tally in the fifth and the Hearts provided some additional cushion with a three-run sixth. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly by Raddatz brought home the first run and Colton Webb delivered a two-run single.

Nichols pitched the first four innings to get the win. He allowed five hits and two runs, while walking three and striking out four. Jude Traub pitched the final three frames to earn the save.

The Hearts improved to 19-9 on the season. They will be right back in action Saturday, finishing their regular season with a doubleheader at Centralia. The first game is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The Effingham Flaming Hearts were named the No. 2 seed in the Salem Class 3A Regional, which will open play on Monday, May 20.

There are five teams in that regional, including Olney (Richland County), Charleston, Mattoon and Salem.

The winner of the Salem Regional will advance to the Troy Triad Sectional, which is scheduled for May 29-June 1. Winners of the regionals at Marion, Jerseyville and Waterloo will advance to Troy Triad.

Here is the schedule for the Salem Regional:

Monday, May 20

Game 1 – 4:30 p.m. – Olney (#8) at Charleston (#7)

Wednesday, May 22

Game 2 – 4:30 p.m. – Effingham (#2) vs. Winner Game 1

Thursday, May 23

Game 3 – 4:30 p.m. – Mattoon (#3) vs. Salem (#6)

Saturday, May 25

Game 4 – 11 a.m. – Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3 (championship)

Kaden Knebel allowed just five hits, en route to a shutout performance, helping Highland post a 5-0 win Tuesday afternoon at Effingham.

Knebel didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven, while throwing 88 pitches in his complete game performance.

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the first inning and then added a single tally in the second and two more in the sixth.

The Hearts had a total of six baserunners, with one reaching on an error. All five of Effingham’s hits were singles – by Colton Webb in the second, Kaden Koeberlein in the fourth, Carter Braddy and Braden Verdeyen in the fifth and Brody Boehm in the sixth.

Koeberlein took the loss. He pitched 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs, while walking one and striking out one. Braddy and Jude Traub finished up.

The Hearts improved to 18-9 on the season. They will play Friday at Civic Memorial in Bethalto.