Dakota Weidner and Brady Ingram both belted home runs and combined to drive in nine runs, leading the North Clay Cardinals to a 13-7 win at home Thursday over Effingham.

The game was tied 4-4 after four innings, but the Cardinals exploded for seven runs in the fifth to take control of the game.

The Hearts got a solo home run from John Harper in the first and then took a 4-2 lead in the second. Joe Matteson drove in one run with a double and Evan Waymoth delivered a two-out, two-run single to give EHS the two-run lead.

But North Clay tied the game in the third, then erupted for seven runs in the fifth and capped the scoring with a two-run sixth.

The Hearts didn’t quit. They closed the gap with a three-run sixth. Quest Hull, Max Hardiek and Myles Maxedon all singled to load the bases with no outs. After the next two batters struck out, Kaiden Nichols cleared the bases with a double.

Nichols, one of the six pitchers used by Effingham, took the loss.

The Hearts dipped to 5-6 overall. They will return to action Saturday at home with an Apollo Conference doubleheader against Mattoon. The first game will start at 11 a.m. The Hearts are 1-3 in league play.