Kaden Knebel allowed just five hits, en route to a shutout performance, helping Highland post a 5-0 win Tuesday afternoon at Effingham.

Knebel didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven, while throwing 88 pitches in his complete game performance.

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the first inning and then added a single tally in the second and two more in the sixth.

The Hearts had a total of six baserunners, with one reaching on an error. All five of Effingham’s hits were singles – by Colton Webb in the second, Kaden Koeberlein in the fourth, Carter Braddy and Braden Verdeyen in the fifth and Brody Boehm in the sixth.

Koeberlein took the loss. He pitched 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs, while walking one and striking out one. Braddy and Jude Traub finished up.

The Hearts improved to 18-9 on the season. They will play Friday at Civic Memorial in Bethalto.