Seven runs in nine innings was a good start.
“That’s decent offense for the first day,” Helias coach Chris Wyrick said after the Crusaders went 2-0-1 in Jamboree action Tuesday at Vivion Field. “We had some good swings, but one of the things I like about Jamborees is how they show you some things you need to work on.”
One of those things to work on is being ready to hit fastballs.
“We took too many fastballs for strikes. In our inter-squad games, we’re not doing that, we’re up there hammering,” Wyrick said. “Playing in front of people in the stands, playing somebody different probably had something to do with it. But we have to get past that because things are about to start for real.”
Helias took on Blair Oaks, Fatima and Jefferson City in three-inning contests in the Jamboree.
Helias opened with 2-1 wins against Blair Oaks and Fatima, then ended with a tie at 3 against Jefferson City.
In the scrimmage against the Jays, the Crusaders scored a run in the top of the first inning. With two outs, David Hofherr doubled to center before Nate Roark singled on the next pitch to score courtesy runner Trey Rice.
Jefferson City scored three times in the bottom of the second. The Jays loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk, a single and a hit-batter. After a flyout to short center and a strikeout, Ethan Lipp doubled to the gap in right-center to clear the bases.
Helias tied it in the top of the third.
Myles Gresham led off with a single and stole second. One out later, Hofherr doubled to left to score Gresham.
“David is really swinging it well,” Wyrick said.
Roark then tied the game with a triple to right.
Hofherr took the mound in the bottom of the inning. A wild pitch, an infield single and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out. But Hofherr struck out the next three batters to end the game tied at 3.
“He showed some guts,” Wyrick said. “He filled up the zone. It was good to see him continue to battle.”
Hofherr was the eighth pitcher Helias used in the Jamboree. Wyrick saw some good and some things that need improvement on the mound.
“They have to be able to throw strikes,” he said. “When you have somebody down in the count, you have to make pitches in a place where they can’t put the barrel of the bat on it. That’s something we have to do better.”
Helias will open the season with a trip to Florida. Starting Sunday, the Crusaders will play a minimum of five games in three days.
“We need to figure out how to play as a team,” Wyrick said. “We need to have team at-bats, a team approach. When you do that, good things can happen for you.”
Helias will open its home schedule Friday, March 24, against Ozark at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
See also:
Jays host baseball Jamboree at Vivion Field