Effingham Blanks Charleston in 3A Regional Opener

CHARLESTON -- Effingham High School didn't mess around in its opening game of the Class 3A Charleston Baseball Regional Wednesday.

The Hearts defeated the host squad, 10-0 in five innings after a big second frame. EHS loaded the bases in the second inning. With two outs, the Trojans looked like they might get out of the frame unscathed. But an interfence call on their catcher allowed a walk that brought home the first run. Another walk brought another run home and then Mason Hull ended any debate about whether the Hearts would score more with a grand slam.

The Hearts had only four hits in the contest led by Hull's grand slam and Ryan Sandifer's double and three RBI.

Zack Lee was the winning pitcher, going five innings, allowing one hit, two walks and striking out eight.

The Hearts advance to the championship game Saturday against either Mattoon or Paris. Those two teams meet at 4 p.m. today. Game time Saturday is 11 a.m. with the winner advancing to the Decatur MacArthur Sectional Wednesday, May 30.

Class 3A Charleston Regional

Charleston               000    00    --      0-1-1

Effingham                064    0x    --    10-4-0

WP -- Lee. LP -- Harrell.

Charleston -- Harrell, double

Effingham -- Ballman, 1 RBI; Koester, 2 RBI; Hull, home run (second, three on), 4 RBI; Sandifer, double, 3 RBI; Lee, single; Lohman, single