Colton Webb and Kaiden Nichols turned in stellar pitching performances Saturday, helping the Effingham Flaming Hearts post an Apollo Conference doubleheader sweep at Mattoon.
Webb gave up five hits and Spencer Fox and Cam Raddatz belted back-to-back homers, as the Hearts took the opener, 3-2.
In the nightcap, Nichols tossed a one-hitter and Raddatz drove in a pair, as the Hearts beat the Green Wave 4-1 to complete the sweep.
The first game was scoreless through 3½ innings. Fox changed that by driving a 3-1 pitch over the rightfield fence. Two pitches later, Raddatz followed suit, lining a pitch over that same rightfield fence, putting the Hearts up 2-0.
Mattoon tied the game in the top of the fifth, but the Hearts scored the winning run in the bottom of that frame. Nichols got a one-out walk and Raddatz singled. When Webb’s ground ball was misplayed for an error, Nichols was able to score.
Webb walked two and struck out two in his 96-pitch performance.
In the second game, Jude Traub got what proved to be the winning rally started with a one-out double in the bottom of the third. Nichols walked and Raddatz doubled to put the Hearts on top. Webb then walked to load the bases and Braxton Lewis was hit by a pitch to force in the second run.
The Green Wave got their only hit in the fourth and scored their only run on a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the fourth, the first two batters were retired. Traub, who had three hits in the game, then singled and came around to score on a double by Nichols. After Fox walked, Raddatz came through again, delivering an RBI single.
Nichols walked two and struck out eight, while throwing 93 pitches.
The Hearts improved to 11-4 overall and 4-2 in the conference. They will return to action Tuesday at Neoga.