Quest Hull and Andrew Donaldson belted first-inning home runs, helping the Effingham Hearts grab an early lead, en route to an 8-1 victory at Neoga.

The Hearts wasted no time taking control. With one out in the opening inning, Gauge Massey and John Harper received back-to-back walks. Then with two outs, Hull blasted a pitch over the rightfield fence, staking EHS to a 3-0 lead.

But they weren’t finished. An error and then a double by Myles Maxedon put two runners in scoring position. Joe Matteson then had an RBI single, another run scored on a passed ball and Donaldson capped the seven-run frame with a two-run shot that also cleared the rightfield fence.

Camden Raddatz had an RBI single in the second to cap Effingham’s scoring in the game.

Kaiden Nichols went the first 3.1 innings to get the win. He allowed three hits and a run, while walking two and striking out five. Jackson Doedtman and Massey also pitched.

The Hearts improved to 8-6. They will return to action today (Wednesday) with a home game against Casey-Westerfield.