The Helias Lady Crusaders were shut out by the Jefferson City Lady Jays in their first meeting of the season. That was so last week.
Helias kept its winning streak going Saturday by defeating Jefferson City 8-2 to win the championship of the Capital City Invitational at 63 Diamonds.
"That's a quality team we just beat," Helias coach Dan Campbell said following the Lady Crusaders' seventh straight victory. "Alexa Rehmeier threw an incredible game. We put the ball in play and put a little pressure on them defensively."
In the three games prior to the streak, Helias averaged two runs per game, including a 1-0 defeat at Jefferson City. The Lady Crusaders have scored more than six runs per game since.
"We're just putting the ball in play more," Campbell said. "We're not striking out as much and hitting more ground balls instead of popups."
Already up 2-0 in the fifth, Helias made the last two innings more comfortable with five runs on five hits.
It began with Taylor Woehr reaching on a error and Holly Hentges getting on with a bunt single.
"When we get our girls on the bases with some speed we can cause some havoc," Campbell said. "Holly Hentges was giving us a big lift in the No. 2 spot. Since we moved her there we've been clicking. Taylor has been doing a great job in the leadoff spot. When we get those two on with their speed its going to put a lot of pressure on the defense."
Rylee Kolb loaded the bases with a single to left and Abbi Pringer made it 3-0 with a single to left-center field to score Woehr.
Riley Heckenkamp dropped a double in the gap in left field for two more runs. Kenley Haslag added a sacrifice fly before Sophia Carr sent a ground ball to left field for an RBI single for a 7-0 lead.
Hentges collected four of Helias' 11 hits. Kolb and Carr each had two hits. Carr tied Heckenkamp each drove in a pair of runs.
"Today was for sure our best day of the year," Campbell said. "We played a good game against Hickman and I think continued it in this game. Hopefully we can keep it rolling."
Jefferson City got on the board in the sixth when Kara Daly easily cleared the fence in left-center field for a two-run bomb.
It was one of just six hits allowed by Helias sophomore pitcher Alexa Rehmeier, who struck out seven and walked none in a complete game.
"She kept us off-balance and kept us guessing up there a little bit," Jefferson City coach Zac Miller said. "We had a hard time putting good swings on balls today."
Mychael Jett went the distance for the Lady Jays, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Jett earned the win in the Lady Jays' 4-2 win against Oakville in Saturday's semifinal game.
"Mychael had a great tournament," Miller said. "She threw a lot. She's competitor and she went out there and grinded. I wish our defense sometimes would have helped her."
Daly, Megan Green and Jaiden Allabaugh each tallied two hits against Oakville. One of Daly's hits was a solo home run and Green had three RBI.
"To be able to go 3-1 on the weekend and play well, definitely excited to be here," Miller said. "Obviously we would have wished for a different outcome but or the most part the girls played a pretty good tournament."
Helias defeated Hickman 4-0 in the semifinals with Lauren Howell striking out 11 while allowing six hits in the shutout.
Heckenkamp had two RBI in the game for Helias.
On Friday, Helias defeated Palmyra 7-0 and Camdenton 10-0 in five innings to reach the semifinals.
Rehmeier struck out eight and allowed seven hits in six innings. Carr blasted a two-run home run and Woehr added two hits.
Howell was the winning pitcher against Camdenton, striking out 11, walking one and allowing one hit. Hentges and Emily Harrison each collected two hits in the game.
Helias (11-3) will host Father Tolton on Monday at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. The JV game will start at 5 p.m. with the varsity to follow about 6:30 p.m.
Jefferson City (7-2) will host Hickman on Monday at Vogel Field at Riverside Park. The varsity game will start at 5:30 p.m.