Defending Champs Power Past Sullivan

Scoring eight runs in the final two innings, defending Class 3 state champion Helias took down Sullivan 9-0 on Friday in the Capital City Invitational.

In the first meeting between the two programs since last November’s state title contest, Helias held a slim 1-0 lead through the first four frames.

It all came undone for the Lady Eagles in the fifth when Helias plated four two-out runs.

Sullivan (8-3) had just one hit and one walk against senior Alexa Rehmeier.

Rehmeier, who started for the Crusaders in the 2019 championship game, was tough to hit on Friday.

She struck out 10 batters and yielded just one hit — a single to Hanna Johanning. 

Jaedin Blankenship drew a walk, but the Lady Eagles were overpowered.

Johanning drew the start and after a rocky start, corrected herself over the next three innings.

Livia Bloomer bunted Johanning’s way to lead off the inning and reached on an error. Johanning struck out the next two batters before surrendering an RBI single by Paige Schaffer.

Ella Meyer extended the inning with a four-pitch walk, but Johanning would get out of the inning without more damage.

Meyer struck a one-out double in the fourth and was stranded at the bag.

Johanning walked Ava Morris with one out in the fifth and gave up a single to Bloomer. She fanned Payton Dudenhoffer, then walked Mallorey Rogers to load the bases.

Schaffer worked a seven-pitch bases-loaded walk and Meyer tagged a single to left to open up a 4-0 lead.

Sullivan went to Blankenship, who issued free passes to the first two batters she faced, the latter coming with the bases loaded. Helias led 5-0.

The Crusaders batted around in the fifth, with a wild pitch and a walk scoring two runs. Helias would get another bases-loaded walk and a RBI single to complete the scoring.