COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Helias Lady Crusaders captured the title at the Battle Tournament on Saturday, beating Liberty North 7-3 in the title game.
Lauren Howell went the distance in the circle to get the win. She allowed two earned runs on four hits while striking out three.
Lindsey Steinbeck and Riley Heckenkamp had three hits each for the Lady Crusaders. Sophia Carr and Taylor Woehr added two hits.
Heckenkamp, Carr and Howell all drove in two runs, while Woehr scored twice.
In Saturday's semifinals, Helias topped Battle 8-3.
Riley Kolb had three hits and two RBI for the winners. Heckenkamp and Howell added two hits each.
Howell pitched the first three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit and two walks. She struck out five. Abbi Pringer pitched the final two frames, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. She struck out one.
Howell, Pringer and Heckenkamp were named to the all-tournament team.
Helias (7-0), which went 5-0 in the tournament, will play Jefferson City on Wednesday at 63 Diamonds.