The Helias Lady Crusaders weren’t going to go away. Trailing 2-0 after just three batters Tuesday against the Southern Boone Lady Eagles, the Lady Crusaders knew their was plenty of game yet to be played. “It’s tough to have to battle and claw our way back, but I’m proud of the way we did it today,” Helias coach Kelly Fick said after the Lady Crusaders defeated the Lady Eagles 7-4 at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
The Helias Lady Crusaders took advantage of their opportunities and it made a big difference Wednesday night. The Lady Crusaders scored five runs with two outs while the Jefferson City Lady Jays stranded nine baserunners, helping Helias run away with a 9-2 victory in Central Missouri Activities Conference play at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
The numbers are there. The Helias Lady Crusaders return eight starters from a softball team that finished second in the Class 4 state tournament last fall. That should have the Lady Crusaders thinking about a second straight trip to Springfield in October for the Final Four. But the Lady Crusaders aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
The Helias Lady Crusaders will play for a state championship, taking advantage of breaks and coming up with outs when they needed them to win 5-1 in Thursday s Class 4 semifinal game against the Washington Blue Jays at Killian Softball Complex. Helias (28-6), ranked No. 2 in Class 4, will face eighth-ranked Kearney (25-8) for the state title at 10 a.m. Friday. Kearney defeated Warrenton 6-3 in Thursday s other semifinal game.
It was the perfect time for her first home run of the season. Ava Morris hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday to break a tie at 2 as the Helias Lady Crusaders defeated the Camdenton Lady Lakers 4-2 in the Class 4 softball quarterfinals.