Saige Althoff turned in two strong pitching performances and Elena Niebrugge drove in five runs in the second game, helping the Effingham Lady Hearts sweep an Apollo Conference doubleheader at home Wednesday from Taylorville.

Althoff pitched a three-hitter in the opener, as the Lady Hearts posted a 3-0 decision. Niebrugge then had two hits, including a home run, and drove in five, helping EHS complete the sweep with a 12-2, five-inning victory in the nightcap.

In the first contest, the Lady Hearts scored single tallies in the first, third and fourth innings. Daelyn Dunston and Sidney Donaldson had RBI groundouts in the first and third and Sawyer Althoff added a run-scoring single in the fourth.

That was all the support Saige Althoff needed. She didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight in her seven-inning complete game.

There was more offense in the second game. And the Lady Hearts started the scoring with a three-run first inning. Two walks and an error got things started. One run scored on a wild pitch and Niebrugge added a two-out, two-run double to stake EHS to the quick 3-0 lead.

The Lady Tornadoes narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but Effingham responded in the bottom of the frame. Donaldson and Jennifer Jamison both singled and came home to score on a two-run double by Mya Harvey. Niebrugge followed with her two-run blast to increase the lead to 7-2.

Niebrugge added an RBI ground out as part of the three-run fourth and EHS completed its scoring with two tallies in the fifth.

Saige Althoff went all five innings to get the win. She allowed two hits and two runs. Once again, she didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.

The Lady Hearts are now 13-10 overall and 7-5 in league play. They will play at home again Friday against Flora.