Luke Darling smacked a two-run homer in the first inning and that proved to be enough offensive support, as the Highland Bulldogs posted a 6-1 win Tuesday afternoon in Effingham.

The Hearts scored a single tally in the bottom of the first, but that was all the runs they had. They finished with just four hits in the game.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the third and tallied twice in the fourth.

EHS got its run when Kaiden Nichols led off with a single and Gauge Massey was hit by a pitch. Nichols eventually scored on a ground out by Quest Hull.

Brayden Pals pitched the first three innings and took the loss. He allowed five hits and four runs, while walking three and striking out three.

The Hearts dipped to 14-12. They will travel to Bethalto and face Civic Memorial on Friday.