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By Graham Brooks | Shelby County Reporter

The Helena Huskies baseball team took on a familiar foe in the second round of the Class 5A baseball playoffs on April 29 and April 30, and just like the regular season, the Huskies had no trouble taking care of Jemison, winning 7-2 and 11-1 to sweep the series.

Helena finished undefeated in regular season Class 5A, Area 7 play, but the best-of-three game series in the playoffs is what mattered the most.

In the opening game of the series, Helena used timely hitting and solid pitching to jump out to a 1-0 series lead.

The Huskies got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning after Robbie Lively singled to score Nick Ragsdale to go up 1-0.

The following inning saw Helena put a string of hits together before Nash Adams scored Jameson Ling after reaching on a fielder’s choice to extend the lead to 2-0.

Jemison responded in the top of the fourth inning after Hunter Hood hit a two-run single to score Logan Ray and Phillip Lenoir to tie the game at 2-all.

The tie would not last for long as Helena put three runs across in the bottom of the fourth inning after a two-run double by Brooks Brophy and an RBI single by Ling to extend Helena’s lead to 5-2.

Helena pitching held Jemison scoreless over the final three innings, and the Huskies tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win Game 1, 7-2.

Riley Davis pitched a complete game for the Huskies allowing just two runs.

Game 2 of the series was originally scheduled for April 29, after the conclusion of the first game, but severe weather entered the area and both teams were forced to play Game 2 on April 30.

The schedule change did not seem to affect the Huskies, as Helena scored at least one run in all but two innings.

Helena got on the board first as Sam Praytor blasted a two-run home run to put the Huskies up 2-0.

Jemison’s lone run of the game came in the bottom of the first inning after Chase Deason doubled to score Ray.

Helena scored three runs each in both the third and sixth innings.

In the third inning, Adams singled to center field to score Riley Davis and Kade Jones.

In the sixth inning, Ling singled to left field to score Davis and Adams doubled to left field to score Brophy and Jones.

Helena starting pitcher Troy Cordrey earned the win for Helena after pitching a complete game that included no earned runs and five strikeouts.

After sweeping Jemison in Round 2, Helena will advance to the third round of the playoffs to take on Faith Academy in a best-of-three game series beginning May 6 at Helena High School.