Helias advances to Class 4 state championship game
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Helias Crusaders will make back-to-back state title game appearances after defeating Kearney 3-1 on Thursday afternoon in the MSHSAA state semifinals in Springfield.
Cambri Van Loo put together a strong performance in the circle for the Crusaders, striking out four batters and tossing a complete game, which included six scoreless innings.
Helias quickly took the lead in the first inning. After Karoline Klebba led off the frame with a triple, she scored on a wild pitch to put the Crusaders ahead 1-0. Helias added another run in the second inning on a squeeze bunt by Addisyn Wilson that allowed Ava Morris to score. Morris got into scoring position after hitting a double to begin the frame.
The Crusaders led 2-0 for five innings, and then, Helias extended its lead to 3-0 in the sixth. Kendyll Rackers hit an RBI single up the middle to score Klebba, giving Helias its largest lead of the game.
Kearney cut its deficit to 3-1 in the final frame after an RBI double by Ryleigh Van Emmerik, but Van Loo shut the door on the Bulldogs in the seventh, forcing a pop-out to end the game.
Helias improved its record to 22-9 on the season.
The Crusaders will look to win their first state championship since 2019 when they face Washington in the Class 4 state title game on Friday, Oct. 27 at 12:45 p.m. in Springfield.
