MOKANE - Senior starter Kaden Helsel scattered two hits and struck out seven over six innings as the state-ranked South Callaway Bulldogs downed Russellville in a 5-1 Show-Me Conference victory Wednesday night.
Senior first baseman Landon Horstman went 2-for-3 with a double and a run batted in for defending Class 3 state champion South Callaway. The Bulldogs - ranked fourth in the state - improved to 12-7 on the season and 4-0 in the SMC.
Helsel (5-2) lost his shutout bid when Russellville scored an unearned run in the top of the sixth inning. He also issued three walks.
South Callaway took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on sophomore catcher Braden Lallier's RBI fielder's choice with one out. The Bulldogs tallied three more runs in the third on junior shortstop Peyton Leeper's RBI double and RBI groundouts from junior left fielder Tyklen Salmons and Horstman.
Helsel scored South Callaway's final run in the fourth when he darted home from third on a passed ball with one out.
Senior second baseman Dylan Lepper was 3-for-4 with a double and scored a run as the Bulldogs collected seven hits. Leeper went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, while Helsel finished 1-for-4 and scored once.
South Callaway goes to Columbia for a nonconference game against Father Tolton at 5 p.m. today.