The host Shoes got two timely hits and recorded a key strikeout to end the game and secure a 3-2 decision.

T-Town then used a four-run third inning in the nightcap to establish a lead and hung on for a 7-5 win and a sweep of the twin-bill.

The Hearts had just three hits in the first game – all by Jackson Lee. He belted a solo home into the wind in the first inning to give EHS a quick lead.

But the Shoes responded in the bottom of the frame. Kayden Althoff hit a little dribbler in front of the plate but reached safely on an errant throw. Evan Wermert then lined a pitch down the rightfield line that rolled to the fence and Althoff raced all the way around the bases to tie the game.

T-Town took the lead in the third. With one out, Sam Bushur walked on four pitches, Kayden Althoff lined a base hit up the middle and Wermert walked to load the bases. Andy Niebrugge then delivered a clutch single to left that brought in two runners and give THS a 3-1 lead.

“It was good for us to come right back in the first inning,” Fleener said. “Evan had a good approach at the plate and went to right field. Then Andy got a big hit for us. But those are the kind of hits it’s going to take in the postseason. It’s that time of year.”

Effingham made it a one-run deficit in the fifth. Quest Hull walked with one out and went all the way to third base on a bunt by Gauge Massey. Lee then lined a pitch over the centerfielder’s head for an RBI double.

The Hearts had one final scoring opportunity in the seventh. Max Nelson and Massey both walked, giving Lee another chance with two outs. But Niebrugge was able to record a strikeout on a 3-2 pitch to earn the save and secure the win.

“Jackson really lined up a couple balls in this game and hit them hard, which was good to see,” McNeeley said. “We haven’t seen that from our guys as much we’d like to this spring, but he was the right guy to have up at that moment. He went down swinging, but you can’t ask any more from a kid.”

Evan Addis was the T-Town starter and got the win. He worked 5.1 innings, allowing three hits and two runs. He walked just one and struck out nine while throwing 73 pitches. Niebrugge finished up, giving up three walks and striking out two.

“Evan really located his pitches well, except for a couple,” Fleener noted. “And then Andy came in and closed it out. We really didn’t want to see Jackson come up again, but Andy made a good pitch at the end.”

The Hearts used three pitchers in the game – Lee, Brayden Pals and Matthew Loy. Each threw two innings and Pals took the loss.

“I was pleased with how each of them threw the ball,” McNeeley said. “We planned to limit Jackson to just 30 pitches and he looked good. By doing this, we can keep our pitchers fresh and be prepared for next week.”

The second game was back-and-forth throughout.

The Shoes got an RBI single from Wermert to take a 1-0 lead in the first, but Effingham took a 2-1 lead in the third when Lee delivered a two-run double, giving him four hits and four RBI in the two games.

THS took the lead for good with a four-run third. Niebrugge tied the game with an RBI double. Derek Konkel and Hayden Ruholl then added run-scoring singles and the final run scored on a wild pitch.

EHS took advantage of two T-Town errors to score twice in the fifth, but the Shoes responded in the bottom of that inning with two of their own – thanks to run-scoring singles by Ruholl and Cade Buehnerkemper. The Hearts added their final tally in the sixth.

Dylan Pruemer, the second of four pitchers used by Fleener, got the win. Niebrugge started and went the first two innings. Pruemer and Ruholl also went two innings and Konkel pitched the seventh to get the save. The foursome combined to allow four hits and five runs, while walking five and striking out 6.

Kalen Reardon was the starter and loser for EHS. He went 2.2 innings and gave up six hits and five runs, while walking four and striking out two. Massey went 1.1 innings and Jackson Doedtman pitched the final two frames.

This was the final game for both teams in Apollo Conference action. In the Apollo, only the first game of a doubleheader counts in league standings. So the Shoes ended 4-3 in the conference, while the Hearts finished 3-4.

The Hearts, who are 11-11, will play in the Class 3A Regional C. They will play at Mattoon at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3. Mattoon is seeded No. 4; the Hearts No. 5. The winner will then play either Olney or Troy Triad on Monday, June 7, in the title game. The time and location for that game has not been set.

The Shoes improved to 19-8 overall. They will play Monday at Flora and then end the regular season Tuesday at home against Neoga.

T-Town will compete in the Class 2A Regional and is seeded No. 1. The Shoes will play either Lawrenceville or Salem at 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 4. The game will be played at the Teutopolis baseball diamond.

The winner will then face Greenville or Flora for the regional championship. That game will be played Monday, June 7. Site and game time has not yet been determined.

“These boys come out and do what we ask them to do,” Fleener said. “But we have to keep pushing. We still need better hitting and better fielding, and we need to make sure our pitchers are prepared. Everybody wants to go as deep as we can in the postseason and this is what it’s going to take.”