JOPLIN - The Helias Crusaders dropped a 9-4 decision Thursday to the Aurora Houn Dawgs in the quarterfinals of the Class 4 state baseball championships at Missouri Southern.
Aurora scored runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead.
Helias then plated three in the top of the fourth to take the lead. Ryan Graessle led off with a double before moving to third on a single by Parker Schnieders.
Landon Harrison then singled to make it 2-1. Matthew Dampf followed with a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third before Zach Stiles singled to score Schnieders to tie it. After a strikeout, Harrison came home to score on a passed ball to make it 3-2.
But Aurora took the lead for good by scoring four in the bottom of the fourth. The Houn Dawgs then added two in the fifth to make it 8-3.
Helias got a run back in the top of the sixth. John McDonald hit a one-out single before Nolan Sachse singled to put runners at first and second. After a strikeout, Alex Faddoul singled to score McDonald and it was 8-4.
Aurora got its final run in the bottom of the sixth.
Schneiders finished with three hits to lead a 10-hit Helias attack.
Tyler Cassmeyer pitched the first three-plus innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks. He struck out one. Kale Gerstner worked the final three innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk.
Helias ends its season at 21-9.
Aurora (27-3) will face either MICDS or Cape Girardeau Notre Dame in the semifinals next Friday in O'Fallon.
The MICDS-Notre Dame contest will be played today after being postponed Thursday due to weather.