COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Helias bats were working early Thursday as the Crusaders defeated the Rock Bridge Bruins 7-4.
Helias scored twice in the first and second innings, once in the third and twice in the fourth to take a 7-2 lead. Rock Bridge then scored single runs in the fifth and the seventh.
Four Crusaders - Zach Stiles, Trevor Austin, Parker Schnieders and Drew Boessen - had two hits each. Austin finished with three RBI, while Boessen scored twice.
Zach Davidson was the winning pitcher, working the first 42/3 innings. He allowed three runs (all earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out six. Connor McKenna pitched 11/3 innings of relief, walking one and striking out one. Austin pitched the seventh, giving up a run on two hits and two walks while recording a strikeout.
Helias (8-4, receiving votes in the Class 4 state poll), winners of its last five games and seven of its last eight, is back in action Saturday with games against Father Tolton and Lutheran St. Charles in Columbia.
Rock Bridge, which is receiving votes in the Class 5 poll, is now 15-7.