Postseason softball success is a simple formula.
"Pitching and defense wins championships, it just does," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said as the Lady Crusaders (22-5) prepare to host the Bolivar Liberators (23-6) in a Class 3 sectional contest starting at 5 p.m. today at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
"The team that plays the best defense will win the game."
Helias has been strong in the circle and with the glove this season.
The Lady Crusaders, who have totaled a 1.77 ERA this season and are allowing less than one baserunner per inning, will bring a potent 1-2 punch in the circle into the postseason.
Alexa Rehmeier, who will get the start today, is 15-3 with a 1.01 ERA. In 1101/3 innings, the junior has allowed 16 earned runs on 54 hits and 18 walks while recording 177 strikeouts.
"She knows if she stays away from the middle of the plate, she's tough to hit," Wyrick said.
Lauren Howell, a senior two-time all-state selection who recently returned to action after battling an injury, will be ready to go in relief. The Arkansas commit is 3-0 in 10 games with a 1.80 ERA. She has struck out 47 in 231/3 innings, walking 11.
"I have confidence in either one of them doing the job," Wyrick said.
Defensively, the Lady Crusaders are committing a little more than one error per game.
"Make the routine play, the routine plays that aren't made are the ones that hurt you because they often lead to runs," Wyrick said. "We know they are going to get some hits, but if we can just get the outs we should get, we can keep them from scoring runs."
Katie Brooks, a junior who has committed to Florida State, figures to get the start in the circle for Bolivar. She has totaled nearly 250 strikeouts this season, including 13 in last Saturday's 6-0 victory against School of the Osage in the District 10 Tournament title game. She also threw a perfect game in a 10-0 win in six innings against Buffalo in the district semifinals.
"We know we will have our hands full with her," Wyrick said. "She keeps the ball down, she tries to make you elevate the ball to get hits.
"Hopefully we can hit the ball hard and put it in play to put as much pressure on their defense as possible. We have to keep our strikeouts to five or less, we have to put it in play. Nothing good can happen on a strikeout."
Helias is striking out a little less than four times per game.
"We had a four-game stretch where we struck out 38 times and that's entirely too many," Wyrick said. "But recently we've cut back on that. You have to make the pitcher work, you have to make the other team play defense. The more at-bats you have over five or six pitches, the better chance you have of having a successful at-bat."
Wyrick said Brooks' best pitch may be her drop ball.
"Those are hard to hit, we need to be able to lay off pitches out of the zone," he said. "Then we need to put some good swings on the pitches in the zone."
Brooks is also the key cog in the middle of the Bolivar lineup. She had a two-run home run to start the scoring in the district title game victory.
"They are really strong in the middle of the lineup," Wyrick said. "Then they have the role players you need to set the table for the big hitters."
The Liberators are averaging a little more than eight runs per game, while the Lady Crusaders are averaging just more than seven runs per contest.
Taylor Woehr, Helias' leadoff hitter, tops the Lady Crusaders with 27 hits, 32 runs scored, a .422 average and 23 stolen bases. No. 3 hitter Rylee Kolb is batting .398 with a team-best 33 RBI while scoring 29 runs.
Helias shifted its lineup earlier this month. After consecutive losses, No. 2 hitter Holly Hentges and No. 9 Ella Meyer flipped spots in the batting order. Each has thrived in their new spot as the Lady Crusaders have rattled off eight straight victories.
"It's really been a big boost to the offense," Wyrick said. "Holly gives us another leadoff hitter down there, she's very fast and capable hitter. And if she can get on base ahead of Taylor, it increases our chance to score a quick run.
"Ella had been hitting the ball hard consistently. Her hitting behind Taylor, if we can get Taylor to second base and Ella hits it hard, that's a run."
Meyer doubled home Woehr with the only run in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Blair Oaks in the District 9 Tournament title game.
Helias has just six home runs this season, two by Woehr.
"We have girls that are capable, but it really hasn't been a big part of the offense," Wyrick said.
That's due in no small part to playing home games at the Legion Complex. It is 215 feet down the lines and 225 feet to center.
"It's by far the biggest park we play in all year," Wyrick said. "We just look to get somebody on, go from first to third, getting walks."
Bolivar defeated McDonald County 6-3 in the sectionals last season before falling 7-4 to Sullivan in the quarterfinals.
This is Helias' first trip to the state tournament since finishing fourth in Class 3 in 2015.
"Once you get here, anything can happen," Wyrick said. "The first thing you have to do is get into the tournament and now we're into the tournament. We'll see what happens next."
The Helias-Bolivar winner will face the winner of the sectional between Logan-Rogersville (23-6) and McDonald County (21-2) in the quarterfinals Saturday. With a win, Helias would host Logan-Rogersville or play at McDonald County.
The Class 3 Final Four is scheduled for Nov. 1-2 at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.