HERMANN - Senior center fielder Kaden Helsel, senior starter Dylan Lepper and sophomore catcher Braden Lallier each drove in two runs as the state-ranked South Callaway Bulldogs overpowered Hermann 10-4 on Tuesday night.
Defending Class 3 state champion South Callaway accumulated 10 hits and benefitted from five Hermann errors in raising its season record to 11-7. The Bulldogs slipped one spot to No. 4 in the Class 3 state poll released Monday.
Helsel went 1-for-3 with a double Tuesday night, scored two runs and had two stolen bases, while Lallier was also 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Lepper finished 1-for-4.
Junior designated hitter Austin Loucks went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and junior left fielder Tyklen Salmons was 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run.
South Callaway fell behind 2-0 after one inning, but took the lead for good with a five-run outburst in the top of the second. Junior third baseman Drake Davidson opened the inning with a double to right, went to third when Loucks reached on an error and scored on Salmons' single to center.
Loucks advanced to third on the play and tied the game at 2-all when senior first baseman Landon Horstman was safe on an error. Salmons moved to third on the play and Lallier drew a one-out walk to load the bases.
Helsel then put the Bulldogs in front when his sacrifice fly to center scored Salmons. Lepper followed with a single to center, bringing home Horstmann, and Lallier scored on an error to make it 5-2.
South Callaway tacked on two runs in the third when Lallier doubled home Loucks with two outs and senior right fielder Josh Johnson also scored on the play. The Bearcats scored a run in the fifth to pull within 7-3, but the Bulldogs got the run back on Lepper's RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth.
South Callaway put up its final two runs in the top of the seventh when Helsel doubled home Johnson with two outs, stole third and scored on a passed ball.
Hermann added a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Lepper (3-0) went 6 2/3 innings to pick up the victory, allowing four runs - two earned - on six hits. He struck out seven and walked three.
The Bulldogs host Russellville in a Show-Me Conference game at 5 p.m. today.