Josh McDevitt turned in a seven-hit shutout performance Saturday afternoon, leading the Effingham Hearts to a 1-0 victory and a split in the doubleheader against Mt. Zion.

It was the Apollo Conference opener for both teams.

The Braves won a slugfest in the opener, posting a 12-9 win, but the Hearts gained the split on McDevitt’s 98-pitch gem.

The junior righthander scattered seven hits, while walking just one and striking out eight. One of those hits came leading off the seventh inning, but he retired the final three batters on fly balls to nail down the win.

The Hearts scored their lone tally in the opening inning. Quest Hull led off with a base hit and Camden Raddatz walked before John Harper delivered an RBI single for what proved to be the winning run. EHS had only one more hit in the game. That was a single by Harper in the sixth.

In the opener, Mt. Zion scored five runs in the first inning and added another tally in the second to build a quick 6-0 lead.

But the Hearts battled all the way. They scored two runs in the third, one of those driven in by Gauge Massey’s base hit. The Braves then built a 9-2 lead before Effingham scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Gabe Eaton and Massey singled to start the inning, and with one out, Hull walked to load the bases. Raddatz and Harper both drove in runs with singles and Max Hardiek delivered a two-run double. The fifth run scored on a passed ball.

But the Braves kept scoring to take the game, which featured 23 hits, 12 by the Hearts. Harper and Massey both finished with three hits and Hardiek collected three RBI.

Brayden Pals took the loss. He worked the first four innings, allowing six hits and nine runs. He walked three and struck out three.

The Hearts are now 4-2 and 1-1 in the conference. They will play at home today (Monday) against Teutopolis.