Brandon Scheulen News Today

WILLARD — The Helias Crusaders dropped a 2-1 decision Saturday to the Willard Tigers in Class 5 baseball quarterfinal action.

One run, three runs, three runs. Helias gave up just seven runs in three games, and that added up to a baseball district title for the Crusaders. Helias continued its strong pitching run Friday through the Class 5 District 5 Tournament, posting a 9-3 victory against the Washington Blue Jays in the championship game at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.

The inspiration came from a game more than a month ago. Back on April 1 in Washington, the St. Francis Borgia Knights scored two runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the Helias Crusaders 4-3.

The start of the postseason is just around the corner. The Helias Crusaders look to be peaking at the right time.

A good start at the plate paid off. The Helias Crusaders scored two runs in the top of the first inning and three more in the second Friday afternoon in a 9-2 victory against the Capital City Cavaliers in Central Missouri Activities Conference action at Capital City High School.

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The Helias Crusaders scored a combined 33 runs in eight innings Saturday in posting a pair of wins.

Helias coach Chris Wyrick picked up win No. 400 in his coaching career with a thrilling 4-3 win against crosstown rival Jefferson City to claim the Jays Baseball Classic title Saturday at Vivion Field.

Wil Libbert wasn’t just due. He was overdue. Libbert had just one hit in his previous 11 plate appearances when he stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with the score tied. But the Blair Oaks junior left-hander came through, pulling a 1-0 pitch into right field for a single, scoring Dylan Hair from second base to give the Falcons an 8-7 walk-off win Monday against the Helias Crusaders at the Falcon Athletic Complex.

It may have just been the bottom of the first inning, but the Helias Crusaders were in a bit of a situation. The Carthage Tigers scored five runs in the top of the first to knock the Crusaders into an early hole Tuesday at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.