Helias struggles at the plate in loss to Ozark

Helias pitcher Sam Wyrick throws to the plate during Tuesday’s game against Ozark at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. (Josh Cobb/News Tribune)
Helias pitcher Sam Wyrick throws to the plate during Tuesday’s game against Ozark at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. (Josh Cobb/News Tribune)

The Helias Crusaders did a little too much watching.

“We didn’t have many competitive at-bats for the majority of the game,” Helias coach Chris Wyrick said Tuesday after the Crusaders dropped a 5-1 decision to the Ozark Tigers at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex. “Nine strikeouts, five looking, we weren’t competing.

“Their pitchers were good, but that doesn’t mean we can’t compete.”


 Gallery: Helias Baseball vs. Ozark


Helias got off to a good start, taking the lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning.

Drew Miller led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. One out later, David Hofherr doubled to the fence in left to score Miller.

Helias starter Sam Wyrick worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second.

In the bottom of the inning, Myles Gresham hit a one-out single. That was Helias’ last hit until the seventh in their home opener after starting the season with five wins on a trip to Florida.

“One run and three hits isn’t going to beat anyone on our schedule,” Chris Wyrick said.

Ozark took the lead for good with a four-run third. A pair of errors sandwiched around a walk loaded the bases to start the inning for the Tigers. After a strikeout, Andrew Bauer doubled just inside the bag at third to make it 2-0.

“Usually a hit or an error follows a walk and those things lead to big innings,” Wyrick said.

Gage Depee followed with a two-run single past a drawn-in infield to make it 4-1.

“We gave them those runs,” Wyrick said.

Ozark added a run in the fifth on a single by Hudson Roberts after a leadoff walk.

Miller led off the bottom of the sixth for the Crusaders with a walk, but was erased on a double play. Nate Roark singled to start the seventh for Helias, but Ozark was able to turn another double play.

“They did the little things and we didn’t, that was a difference,” Wyrick said.

Sam Wyrick allowed five runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six in five innings for the Crusaders. Landon King worked the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk while recording two strikeouts.

“They were putting it in play and today, we couldn’t make all of the plays we needed to make,” Chris Wyrick said.

Ozark is now 2-0 on the season.

Helias (5-1), ranked No. 6 in Class 5 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, is back in action today at Carthage. The varsity game is slated for a 4 p.m. start.

“Hopefully we can learn from this and bounce back,” Wyrick said.

Helias is scheduled to play Friday at Fatima before returning to the Legion Complex on Monday to host Blair Oaks.

In Tuesday’s JV game, Helias dropped a 4-3 decision to Ozark.