STRAFFORD - The South Callaway Bulldogs can now sympathize with the Strafford Indians.
South Callaway's bid to win back-to-back state titles was shut down Wednesday night when the fourth-ranked Bulldogs were edged by the No. 2 Indians 2-1 in the Class 3 quarterfinals.
"There were about a dozen big moments that could have broken the game open for us," South Callaway head coach Heath Lepper said. "We had our opportunities, we just didn't get that one moment.
"We were unable to execute in some key moments and that was the deciding factor. Strafford also played a little cleaner game than we did. It's very difficult - we're still in shock a little bit."
Strafford (24-4) also avenged an 8-1 loss at South Callaway in last year's quarterfinals that helped launch the Bulldogs to the Class 3 state championship.
The Indians will now face Hallsville (20-4) in the Class 3 semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at CarShield Field in O'Fallon. Hallsville advanced with a 5-1 quarterfinal win over Valley Park on Wednesday night.
South Callaway had its seven-game winning streak halted in finishing the season with a 22-9 record. The Bulldogs were making their fourth straight appearance in the Class 3 quarterfinals and were seeking their third trip to the final four in that span.
"As a community and as coaches, we're accustomed to seeing these guys getting it done in every game, but realistically, you can't win every game," Lepper said. "It doesn't make them feel any better right now but they're going to be even more proud years down the road of what they accomplished."
After the start of Wednesday night's game was delayed more than an hour due to rain, South Callaway and Strafford delivered all of the scoring in the fourth. Senior first baseman Landon Horstman put the Bulldogs in front in the top of the inning when he hammered the first pitch he encountered from Indians starter Tony Caldwell for a two-out solo home run to center.
Strafford did very little against South Callaway senior starter Kaden Helsel, but broke through for the two pivotal runs it would need in its half of the inning. Caldwell was hit by a Helsel pitch to lead off and then right fielder Dillon Turner drew a walk.
Helsel regrouped and struck out first baseman Bryce Boswell, but Caldwell and Turner both scored when catcher Wyatt Maples followed with a double to left to put the Indians on top for good at 2-1.
Helsel (8-3) - who departed after reaching 107 pitches in 5 2/3 innings - scattered three hits, struck out nine and issued six walks. He had won four straight starts coming into Wednesday night.
"Kaden was gutty and gritty - he did what we've become accustomed to seeing him do," Lepper said. "Every inning when he needed to make a pitch, he did.
"When he throws like that, we expect to win the ball game."
The Bulldogs - who stranded 10 base runners - collected seven hits, but Horstman's home run was the only one that went for extra bases. Senior second baseman Dylan Lepper was 2-for-4, while Horstman and sophomore catcher Braden Lallier were both 1-for-2.
Junior designated hitter Austin Loucks and junior left fielder Tyklen Salmons both finished 1-for-3 for South Callaway. Junior third baseman Drake Davidson went 1-for-4.