Pacific, MO: Riding a four game win streak, the Helias Crusaders had a tall task ahead of them; visiting No. 10 Pacific who had lost only one game all season while outscoring oponents 153 to 36, and facing one of the top left handers in the state, Josh Moore (committed to St. Louis University).  Combined with a solid start from pitcher Blake Monson and contributions from top to bottom of the line up, Helias knocked off Pacific 11-3.

Monson went the distance, allowing three earned runs and scattering seven hits while striking out five.  Monson also reached base three times, and scored three runs. RF Cam Berendzen powered the Helias offense, going three for four with four RBIs.

• Blake Monson showed command of all three pitches. For the first five innings, he continually kept the Pacific batters with off speed pitchers early on in the count. His breaking ball showed good, late movement, and Monson showed the ability to throw it for a strike in any count. In the later innings, Monson changed his approach, attacking the Pacific batters with his fastball, which had late arm side run. Monson has twelve outs via ground ball.

“My approach is to start the game pitching backwards and as the game goes on use the fastball    more to change it up on the hitters so they don’t know what is coming,” said Monson on his outing.    “As the game goes on, the arm starts to feel a little more loose, and I can keep the ball down in the         zone.”

• Helias hammered out thirteen hits on the afternoon, with Logan Gaines and Zach Backes each having two hits. Travis Gaines went four for five, with two RBIs and two runs scored. 

• Pacific starter LHP Josh Moore (6-foot-1) sat 84-86 mph, and hit 88 mph throughout the game. He also was three for three at the plate with a triple off the right center field wall in the first and a two run homerun in the fifth inning. Moore has the makings of being an impact player for St. Louis University with some fine tuning at the college level.

• Pacific C Nathan Bruns impressed with his blocking ability. Bruns showed good instinct and with his blocking prevented Helias runners from advancing and letting the game become more out of hand. Bruns also showed some power at the plate, with a solo homerun in the second inning. 

“We made plays behind Monson, and I am so excited for the players, it is a bog win for us,” Said Helias head coach Wyrick. “We moved guys over and moved guys in, and we had a lot of big hits with two outs.”

Up next for Helias is Hickman HS on Saturday. Pacific looks to get back on track against Timberland on Thursday.