Helias beats Nixa, Parkway South

In baseball

NIXA, Mo. - The Helias Crusaders went 2-0 on Saturday, posting victories against Parkway South and Nixa.

Helias used a four-run fifth inning to key a 5-4 victory against Parkway South. Todd Buschjost had a two-run double in the frame for the Crusaders.

Helias led 1-0 after three innings before Parkway South plated three in the top of the fifth to take a 3-1 advantage. Parkway South scored its other run in the top of the seventh.

Will Blankenship scored twice for the Crusaders, who had three hits in the victory. Zach Stiles drove in a run.

Kale Gerstner was the starter and winner for Helias, working five innings. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three. Clayton Winter and Buschjost each pitched an inning of relief, with Buschjost getting the save.

In the win against Nixa, Helias led 4-0 after two innings on its way to the win.

Nixa cut the deficit in half with two runs in the third nefore Helias scored five times in the fifth and twice in the seventh to make it 11-2. Nixa scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the final 11-8.

Stiles had three hits to pace a 13-hit Helias attack. John McDonald and Blankenship added two each.

McDonald, Alex Barton and Buschjost each scored two runs. Blankenship drove in three runs, while Buschjost and Chase Bexten had two RBI.

Cole Donaldson pitched the first four innings for the win. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three. Clayton Winter pitched two innings of relief before Buschjost got the final three outs for the save. Buschjost recorded two strikeouts.

Helias (12-6) is back in action at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday against Pacific at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.