The Effingham Hearts banged out six hits, collected five walks and had four hit batters.

And that was just in the first inning.

They sent 18 batters to the plate and scored 13 runs, en route to a 17-2 Apollo Conference victory at home Tuesday over Taylorville.

With one out, Gauge Massey singled, Jackson Lee walked and Max Hardiek was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Christian Raddatz then blasted an 0-1 pitch over the leftfield fence for a grand slam and a quick 4-0 lead.

Before the inning was over, Dylan Cunningham had a pair of RBI singles, Max Nelson had a two-run single and three runs were forced home with two hit batters and a walk with the bases loaded.

EHS tacked on three more runs in the second and added a final tally in the fourth.

The Hearts finished with 11 hits, with Nelson and Cunningham both collecting three. Raddatz finished with five RBI.

Josh McDevitt was the starter and pitched the first two innings to get the win. He didn’t allow a base runner and struck out four. Raddatz and Nelson each pitched one inning.

The Hearts improved to 10-1 overall and 3-0 in the Apollo Conference. They will now play St. Anthony in the annual City Series today (Wednesday), Thursday and Friday. They will host games today and Friday at Paul Smith Field and will play at Evergreen Hollow Park on Thursday. Game time each day is 7 p.m.