The numbers don't lie. The softball season could not have started any better for the Helias Lady Crusaders.
Helias ran its record to 10-0 on Friday night, topping Webb City 7-1 at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
"You don't want to be playing your best softball at this time of the season and I don't think we are," Helias coach Dan Campbell said. "I think we have room to improve.
"We need to stay on an even keel, keep working hard, respect the opponent and not let the record get to our head."
The Lady Crusaders got a little bit of everything in Friday's win - strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting.
In the circle, Lauren Howell went the distance for the victory. She tossed a four-hitter, walking one and striking out 15. The freshman struck out the side in both the second and fifth innings.
"Dominant," Campbell said. "She's throwing very well and we made some nice plays behind her. If we can keep doing that, we can be tough to beat."
Campbell was especially impressed with Howell's performance, considering the opponent.
"Webb City is traditionally very good, they have some good bats," he said.
Helias had good bats up and down the lineup Friday, getting at least one hit in every inning.
"We got people on base, we moved them around and we got them in," Campbell said. "The game can look pretty easy when you do that."
More importantly, the Lady Crusaders only struck out twice.
"Putting it in play is key for us, because with our speed, we can make things happen by manufacturing runs," Campbell said.
Helias scored twice in the bottom of the first. Taylor Woehr laid down a bunt single with one out and after a strikeout, Lindsey Steinbeck lined single to right for an RBI. Howell followed with an RBI double off the base of the fence in center.
The Lady Crusaders added a run with two outs in the third. Rylee Kolb beat out an infield single and stole second before scoring on a single by Haley Kempker.
Helias doubled its advantage with three runs in the fifth. Woehr, Abbi Pringer and courtesy runner Emily Harrison scored for the Lady Crusaders. Steinbeck and Riley Heckenkamp had RBI singles, with the other run scoring on an error.
After Webb City scored in the top of the sixth, Helias got that run back in the bottom of the frame when Pringer singled home Kempker.
Helias and Webb City (3-5) will meet again today at the Legion Complex. The start of the varsity game has been moved up an hour to 10 a.m.
"We just have to try to keep it going," Campbell said. "We know we're going to get a tough game out of them (today)."
In Friday's JV game, Webb City blanked Helias 10-0 in five innings.