The Helias Crusaders and Blair Oaks Falcons have been brothers in the tough-luck club for much of this season.
Something had to give when they met Tuesday at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex, and it fell the way of the Crusaders as Helias scored multiple runs in three innings on its way to a 7-2 victory against Blair Oaks.
"We were due a couple of those innings," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said. "We've had a lot of innings this season where we've put runners on early, then hit the ball right at somebody or hit into a double play or had somebody make a great play.
"It was nice to see us take advantage of our chances."
On the other side, the Falcons will have to wait at least one more day.
"We feel one of these days we're going to catch a break and break through," Blair Oaks coach Harv Antle said. "The key is to not give up, keep battling and hopefully it will pay off."
Blair Oaks had at least one baserunner in each of the seven innings Tuesday, but could only get two to cross the plate against Helias starter Clayton Winter.
"We just couldn't make anything happen," Antle said. "But Winter made some pitches when he needed to make them."
Helias took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. A single, an error and a hit-batter loaded the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout, John McDonald singled on a 3-2 pitch to plate Todd Buschjost and Dylan Gaines.
The Crusaders doubled their lead in the third without hitting the ball out of the infield.
Alex Faddoul drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a balk before an infield single by Buschjost had runners on the corners. After Gaines was hit by a pitch, Faddoul scored on a groundout by Chase Bexten. Ryan Bounds followed with an infield single for an RBI to make it 4-0.
The Falcons scored their two runs in the fourth. Jacob Wilbers led off with a single before coming home on a double by Alec Sieg. Sieg then moved to third on a passed ball on a strikeout before coming home on a grounder by Dylan Hoelscher.
After Blair Oaks starter Clayton Graessle worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth, the Falcons looked like they were going to break through in their half of the fifth.
Blair Oaks had runners at second and third with one out before a strikeout and groundout ended the threat.
In the sixth, the Falcons had a chance to cut into the deficit but had a runner thrown out at the plate by Buschjost from center field.
"That was a big momentum swing," Wyrick said. "The play needed to be made and Todd made it."
Helias then put the game away with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
"It's a little easier to chase two in the last inning than chase five," Antle said.
Helias used consecutive singles by Alex Barton, Zach Stiles, Faddoul and Buschjost, along with an error, to plate the three runs.
Winter pitched five-plus innings to get the victory, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out six.
"We're still working on consistency and I think if he can continue to build, he's someone we're going to be able to count on at district time," Wyrick said.
Cole Donaldson worked the final two innings, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Graessle pitched the first 51/3 innings for Blair Oaks. He allowed six hits and three walks while striking out one.
"When he pitched himself into jams, he did a good job of pitching himself out of them," Antle said. "He minimized the damage and gave us a chance to win."
Brent Heckemeyer came on in relief for the Falcons, giving up three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Helias (9-6) is back in action at 5 p.m. Friday at home against Hannibal.
Blair Oaks (7-15) will host Southern Boone in a varsity-only contest at 4 p.m. today.