Teutopolis took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Estella Mette doubled and eventually scored on an error. It stayed that way until the fifth. Lexie Niebrugge ripped a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kaylee Niebrugge to make it 2-0.
The Lady Hearts got their first hit and first run in the fifth. With two out, Abby Cunningham walked and courtesy runner Daelyn Dunston stole second. Sawyer Althoff then got Effingham’s first hit to drive in the run.
But the Lady Shoes responded with a three-run sixth. Danielle Sarchet walked and scored on a double by Erin Althoff. Emily Konkel then walked and both runners moved up a base on a passed ball. Lexie Niebrugge drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and Daischa Piedra capped the inning with an RBI single.
Davis got the win for the Lady Hearts. She pitched all seven innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, while walking four and striking out two.
Probst took the loss in 6.2 innings of work. She gave up eight hits and six runs, while walking three and striking out four.
It appeared as if the Lady Hearts were on their way to a sweep after scoring five times in the bottom of the second of the nightcap. Tori Budde had a two-run triple, Grace Bushur brought home two more runs with a double and Abby Cunningham added an RBI double, staking EHS to the early 5-1 lead.
But the tide turned completely in the fourth and fifth innings. In those two innings, the Lady Shoes combined six hits and seven walks to score 10 times – six in the fourth and four in the fifth.
Lexie Niebrugge had a two-run single in the fourth and Probst added an RBI base hit. THS also scored runs on a bases loaded walk, a ground out and a passed ball.
And the Lady Shoes were right back at it in the fifth. Emily Konkel and Lexie Niebrugge delivered run-scoring hits and two more tallies crossed the plate after another bases loaded walk and a ground ball.
Konkel had three hits and three RBI, while Courtney Gibson also had three hits and drove in a run and Lexie Niebrugge had a pair of hits and three RBI to lead the T-Town offense, which ended with 11 hits. The Lady Shoes were also helped with 10 walks.
Gibson got the win for THS. She pitched seven innings and allowed five hits and six runs. She walked six and struck out two.
Riley Cunningham worked the first 4.2 innings and took the loss. She gave seven hits and 11 runs, while walking 10 and striking out three.
The doubleheader brought an end to Apollo Conference play for both teams. In the Apollo, only the first game of a doubleheader counts toward league standings. So Effingham finished 4-3 in the conference, while T-Town ended 2-5.
Both teams will now participate in the postseason.
The Lady Shoes, 13-11 overall, will play at home Thursday against Newton at 4:30 p.m. T-Town is seeded No. 4 in the Class 2A Regional A, while Newton is seeded No. 5. The regional championship will be played Friday.
The Lady Hearts are now 15-10 overall. They will play Wednesday at Mattoon in an opening-round game of the Class 3A Regional A. EHS is seeded No. 5 and Mattoon No. 4. Game time will be at 4:30 p.m. The winner of that game will play at top-seeded Charleston Friday. The regional title game will begin at 4:30 p.m.
