The Rams and Flaming Hearts matched up for the first 3A semifinal Friday morning. For the Rams, it was their first trip back to State since coming down in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. As for the Flaming Hearts, it was their first trip downstate ever.
Last season both squads lost in the Sectional Semifinals. The Rams lost 1-0 to Crystal Lake South, who eventually took 4th place. Effingham lost to Mascoutah in a 10-1 rout at Triad.
The Rams routed Lake Forest in their own Sectional Final, and Chris Rogers out dueled Joe Krzak in the Rams' 2-1 Supersectional victory over Fenwick. The Hearts defeated Mt. Vernon at the Centralia Sectional Final 6-3, and shutout Champaign Central 4-0 in the Supersectional.
Everything went the Rams' way in this one. The bats exploded for 9 runs, and College of Lake County commit Will Schufreider pitched a gem, holding the Hearts hitless through the first 5 plus innings. Schufreider went 5.2 innings, gave up a hit and a run (Kaden Koeberlein RBI single), walked 2, and struckout 6.
At the plate, the Rams cooked. Centerfielder Luke Mudd went 2/3 with a 2-run double and 4 RBI total. Third baseman Riley Policht picked up 2 hits and 2 RBI, including an RBI double. Second baseman Garrett Guenther went 1/3 with an RBI double, and Adam Fitzgerald went 2/3 with an RBI single.
In addition to Korberlein's RBI hit, Hearts first baseman Colton Webb went 1/3 with a single, and rightfielder Spencer Fox went 1/3 with a double. Starting pitcher Kaden Nichols went 3 innings, gave up 3 hits, 3 earned runs, walked 3, and struckout 1.
The Rams will battle Nazareth Saturday for a shot at their first State title.
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