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.
It’s a state-ranked softball battle for a berth in the Class 4 Final Four. The Helias Lady Crusaders (26-6) head to Camdenton today to take on the Lady Lakers (24-8) in a quarterfinal contest. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Camdenton Softball Field.
They all knew it. Earlier this month, the Helias Lady Crusaders jumped out to a 4-0 lead in a game against the Capital City Lady Cavaliers. Capital City then scored five unanswered runs to rally for a 5-4 victory. On Saturday, the Lady Crusaders led the Lady Cavaliers 4-0 after three innings in the Class 4 District 5 Tournament championship game at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. Helias remembered what happened the last time. “Absolutely, no doubt,” Helias coach Kelly Fick said. Capital City remembered what happened the last time. “That’s exactly what we talked about,” Capital City coach Brett Skinner said.
It was a pitcher’s duel the first time they met. There was no reason to think the second time would be any different. Molly Berkey of Helias and Avrey Reynolds of Jefferson City battled again in the circle Thursday night in the Class 4 District 5 Tournament semifinals at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Helias’ bats came alive in the third inning. The Lady Crusaders scored four runs in the third and seven in the fourth, sending a combined 23 batters to the plate, to win 12-0 in five innings Wednesday against the Hannibal Lady Pirates at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.