Quest Hull ripped a three-run homer for the second consecutive game, Andrew Donaldson turned in a strong pitching performance in relief and the Effingham Hearts notched their fourth straight victory at home Wednesday with a 15-6 win over Casey-Westfield.
Hull’s three-run blast came in the bottom of the first inning following walks to Kaiden Nichols and Gauge Massey and put the Hearts on top, 3-2.
The Warriors then pushed four runs across in the top of the second, but the Hearts scored the final 12 runs to secure the victory.
Donaldson came on in relief in the second inning and shut the Warriors down. In his four innings of work, he didn’t allow a hit or a run, while walking just one and striking out four to earn the win. Camden Raddatz was the starter and Hull pitched the final two innings.
The Hearts scored a single tally in the third and then took the lead with a six-run fourth. With one out, Myles Maxedon singled, Joe Matteson walked and Gabe Eaton singled to load the bases. Nichols and Harper both walked to force in runs, two runs scored on a pair of errors and Max Hardiek capped the rally with a two-run single.
An error accounted for both EHS runs in the fifth. Casey-Westfield committed four errors that accounted for seven unearned runs in the game. In the seventh, Eaton had an RBI single, Massey a two-run double and the final run scored on a passed ball.
The Hearts improved to 9-6. They will return to action Saturday with an Apollo Conference doubleheader at Lincoln.