Errors come back to haunt Helias in quarters

WILLARD, Mo. - During a late-season surge, the Helias baseball team used wins to shove into the background a pesky problem with errors.

That problem took center stage - on this season's biggest stage - and it cost the Crusaders.

Two huge errors by the Crusaders in the bottom of the eighth inning led to the deciding run as the Willard Tigers turned back Helias 6-5 in a Class 4 quarterfinal game Thursday.

"Everything evens out, this game is very fair in that regard," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said. "If you don't do your work and get the job done when it needs to get done, it comes up and gets you. We didn't play our best game and we're going home."

The loss ended Helias' season at 22-4, while Willard improved to 22-9.