The most important part of a good offense is putting the bat on the ball.
The bat met the ball Monday for the Helias Crusaders, who did not strike out in a 9-1 victory against the Rolla Bulldogs at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
"To not strike out the entire game, I can't tell you the last time that's happened," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said. "That's a good offensive game for us, we hit a lot of balls hard. I was happy with our offense."
The Crusaders took control in the early innings, scoring six runs in the first and one in the second.
"We thought we could jump on them early and often and that's what we did," Wyrick said.
After Helias first baseman Zach Wolken made a diving play to snare a grounder and tag the bag to end the top of the first inning, the Crusaders went to work.
The first six Helias batters scored in the bottom of the inning.
Quinton Baker walked to start the inning and advanced to second on a passed ball. Jake Weaver then reached on a throwing error, with Baker staying a second.
Wolken followed by lining a 1-2 pitch into right for a single to score Baker with the first run of the game and advance Weaver to third. Ethan Holzhauser then singled to left to score Weaver and advanced to second on a high throw from the outfield.
Sam Schell then reached second base on an infield throwing error as Wolken and Holzhauser scored to make it 4-0. Jacob Watson followed with a single to plate courtesy runner Cole Stumpe. Watson then moved all the way to third on a wild pickoff throw before scoring on a wild pitch for the sixth run of the inning.
"They helped us out with some errors, but we were putting the ball in play and making them make plays," Wyrick said.
Schell was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the second. Stumpe came on to run, stealing second and third before scoring on a Watson single to make it 7-0.
Wyrick enjoyed the early production from the dugout instead of his normal spot in the third-base coaches box, manned Monday by assistant Chris Ebright.
"Switching things up a little bit, just something different because we've been a bit of a rut," Wyrick said.
Rolla threatened to score in the top of the third. A leadoff single was erased by a double play before the Bulldogs were able to load the bases before Helias starting pitcher Schell got a fly out to end the inning.
"In games this year, it seems like we've been giving up runs, multiple runs, in innings like that one," Wyrick said. "It was good to bear down and get out of it."
The Bulldogs had runners at the corners to start the fourth. But Helias catcher Holzhauser was able to make a diving tag at the plate on a wild pitch for the first out. After a strikeout, the Bulldogs got a walk to put runners on first and second.
Kaden Hampson came in to pitch for the Crusaders and got a fly out to center to end the inning.
After Rolla scored its run in the top of the fifth, Helias answered with two in the bottom of the inning when a single by Weaver scored pinch-runner Will Herrbold and Baker to make it 9-1.
Schell was the winning pitcher, allowing six hits and and three walks while striking out one in 3 2/3 innings. Hampson pitched the next 2 1/3 innings, giving up an unearned run on one hit and one walk while recording two strikeouts. Bradon Scheulen pitched the seventh, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout.
"When we're locked in, we're a pretty good team," Wyrick said.
Rolla is now 13-16.
Helias (13-8-1) will host Camdenton at 5 p.m. today.
"It will be a good test for us, playing back-to-back days," Wyrick said. "If we can match the intensity, the focus, the effort we had today, it will be important."
The Crusaders will then wrap up the regular season Thursday with a home game against Sedalia Smith-Cotton.
Helias honored its seven seniors - Aleck Barchinski, Alex Loethen, Holzhauser, Watson, Weaver, Baker and Wolken - after the game.
"To stick it out in this day and age for four years is impressive," Wyrick said. "It's a good group of kids off the field as well, they're going to be successful in life."