For the first three innings, the Helias Lady Crusaders got runners in scoring position. They just couldn't complete the scoring part.
But good things can come to those who wait, as the Lady Crusaders broke through with four runs in the fourth Monday night on their way to a 7-5 victory against the North Callaway Lady Thunderbirds at Duensing Field.
"I felt like we were going to get it, we just needed to hang in there," Helias softball coach Dan Campbell said. "I was proud of the way we came back."
North Callaway held a 2-0 lead after 31/2 innings, scoring single runs in the first and third. In the first, the run scored on an error, while Kallie Lehenbauer doubled to drive in Karlie Popp in the third.
The Lady Crusaders sent eight batters to the plate in the fourth, scoring their four runs on three hits, a walk and an error.
Kaylie LeCuru led off with a double that one-hopped off the fence in left before moving to third on a wild pitch. Jordyn Nappier walked before an Abby Masek grounder plated LeCuru to make it 2-1. Lindsey Steinbeck then reached on a throwing error as Masek moved to third.
Presley Welch beat out a bunt to load the bases before Abbi Pringer ripped a 2-1 pitch for a double to left-center to drive in three.
"Abbi really came through, that got us going," Campbell said.
The key inning was the fifth. North Callaway had runners at first and second with one out before Steinbeck got out of the inning on a pair of groundouts.
Fresh from keeping the Lady Thunderbirds off the board, the Lady Crusaders got two runs in the bottom of the inning. Abby Masek singled home designated runner Sidney Kilgore for the first run before Steinbeck doubled home Nappier to make it 6-2.
Helias got an insurance run in the sixth when Lauren Morrow hit the fifth double of the game for the Lady Crusaders. She moved to third on a grounder before scoring on a wild pitch.
But the Lady Thunderbirds (7-1) weren't going to go down without a fight.
"They put it down and got on," Campbell said. "They made us work for it."
Back-to-back infield singles, followed by a sacrifice bunt, put runners on second and third with one out.
At that point, Helias was willing to trade runs for outs.
"We were just trying to get to that third out and end it," Campbell said.
Steinbeck got the second out on a popup, but an infield error allowed one of the runners to score to make it 7-3. A wild pitch brought home another run before Behlmann tripled to make it 7-5.
"We have got to tighten it up on defense," Campbell said. "That can help us slam the door."
Helias got the final out on a fly ball to right.
Masek paced an eight-hit Helias attack with two hits. Steinbeck went the distance, allowing 10 hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
Popp finished with three hits for North Callaway. Mckenzie Ausfahl, Skylar Schmauch and Lehenbauer had two hits each.
Helias (11-5) is back in action Wednesday at Moberly.
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Correction: This updated version corrects that Kallie Lehenbauer drove in North Callaway's run in the third inning and finished with two hits.