COLUMBIA - The Helias Lady Crusaders dropped a 1-0 decision Wednesday to the Blue Springs South Jaguars in the semifinals of the Class 5 District 5 Tournament at Battle High School.
The Jaguars, the tournament's top seed and ranked No. 1 in the state, scored the game's lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The first two Jaguars reached on singles before Lady Crusader pitcher Molly Berkey recorded a strikeout. The runners moved up to second and third on a grounder for the second out of the inning. After an intentional walk to load the bases, the Jaguars plated a run on an infield error.
The Lady Crusaders had several opportunities to score in the game.
Helias stranded a runner at second in the second inning. With one out, Ella Meyer singled, then stole second. But the next two Lady Crusaders struck out to end the threat.
In the fourth, Mallorey Rogers hit a two-out double for the Lady Crusaders before a fly out to center ended the inning.
Paige Schaefer of the Lady Crusaders hit a two-out double in the fifth, but a ground out ended the inning.
Liv Bloomer led off the Helias sixth with a single. After a fly out and strikeout, Rogers walked to put runners at first and second before a strikeout ended the inning.
Payton Dudenhoeffer reached on an error to start the Helias seventh. After a pair of strikeouts, Dudenhoeffer stole second before a ground out ended the game.
Maddy Duval tossed a four-hitter for Blue Springs South, walking one and striking out 11.
Berekey allowed five hits while walking six for Helias, recording five strikeouts.
Helias ends its season at 21-8-1.
Blue Springs South (27-4) will play Grain Valley (29-4) for the district title at 6 p.m. Friday. Grain Valley, the No. 2 seed, beat defending state champ Rock Bridge 5-3 in Wednesday's second semifinal.