Hearts Headed to State Tournament

The Effingham Hearts baseball team hasn't headed to the state tournament since 1942, but they are off to a good start this time.

(THE BALES BUS HEADS OUT OF EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL BOUND FOR JOLIET)

A crowd gathered outside the high school Thursday morning to wish them well as the squad boarded the Bales Bus that will serve as their transportation over the next three days.

(JEFF WAYMOTH, FATHER OF HEARTS' THIRD BASEMAN EVAN WAYMOTH, CHEERS ON THE HEARTS AS THEY HEAD OUT OF TOWN)

Effingham plays Grayslake Central at 10am Friday in the state semifinals. If the Hearts win that game, they will play at about 11:30am for the state Class 3A championship. If they lose on Friday, they will play at 9am Saturday for third place. We will broadcast both the Friday and the Saturday games on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. 

(FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF HEARTS' PLAYERS JOSH McDEVITT AND MYLES MAXEDON CHEER ON THE PLAYERS AS THEY HEAD FOR JOLIET)

The team will be back in Effingham on Saturday evening about 4pm if they play in the third place game or about 6pm if they play in the championship game.

A formal reception for the team has been scheduled at Effingham High School Sunday afternoon following a procession through town at 2pm.