Taylor Armstrong blasted two home runs, including a grand slam, leading the Effingham Lady Hearts to a 13-2, five-inning victory Friday afternoon at Vandalia.

Armstrong’s first homer was the key hit of the game. It came in the third inning with Effingham trailing 2-1. Jaidi Davis had a double, Emma Hardiek was hit by a pitch and Jacy Boatman walked to load the bases. Armstrong then drove a pitch over the centerfield fence for a grand slam and put the Lady Hearts on top to stay.

Effingham scored three runs in the fourth and then added five more in the fifth.

Armstrong led off that fifth with her second long ball of the game, a solo shot that cleared the leftfield fence. With one out, Tori Budde and Daelyn Dunston both walked, both stole a base and both scored when Grace Bushur came through with a two-run single.

Sawyer Althoff then completed the scoring by belting a two-run homer over the centerfield fence.

Armstrong and Bushur both had two hits to lead the team’s nine-hit attack. Armstrong finished with five RBI in the game, while Bushue drove in three and Althoff added two more.

Davis pitched the first four innings and got the win. She allowed just one hit and two runs, while walking one and striking out seven.

The Lady Hearts, now 3-1, will be back in action today (Saturday). They will open Apollo Conference play at Lincoln. EHS will then return home to face Neoga on Monday.