The Effingham Hearts got their third baseball victory Tuesday afternoon, but it didn’t come easy.

The Hearts trailed after three innings, but rallied on offense and received dominating relief pitching before finishing with an 8-5 win at home over Shelbyville.

After the Rams scored four runs in the top of the third, Effingham trailed 5-3. But the Hearts scored a single tally in the third and then had two-run frames in both the fourth and sixth.

In the fourth, George Massey led off with a walk and eventually scored the tying run on a base hit by Max Nelson. Jackson Lee then drove home the lead run with a ground ball.

The Hearts added two insurance runs in the sixth on RBI singles by Jack Blickem and Joe Matteson.

The pitching of Josh McDevitt and Lee was also a key. Brayden Pals pitched the first four innings, allowing five runs – only one was earned – and five hits. McDevitt relieved in the fourth and Lee pitched the seventh. Neither allowed a hit. McDevitt struck out seven in his three innings for work and Lee struck out all three batters he faced.

The Hearts, now 3-0, will play Thursday at Newton and then open Apollo Conference play at home Saturday against Lincoln.