By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Huskies baseball team needed one win over the Jemison Panthers on Friday, April 8 to gain the program’s first area championship and in the doubleheader, the Huskies provided more than enough offense to sweep the doubleheader by a combined score of 26-7.

Here’s how Helena defeated Jemison to capture the Class 5A Area 7 championship. Area 7 includes Helena, Jemison, Central Tuscaloosa and Calera.

Game 1. Helena 14 – Jemison 3

Helena jumped on Jemison early as the Huskies plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning, led by an RBI single from Brooks Brophy to score Riley Davis, then followed by a three-run triple from Nash Adams to jump out to a 4-1 lead.

One inning later, the Huskies offense again put four runs across the plate to double its lead to 8-1. Two bases-loaded walks by Jemison scored Davis and Jameson Ling and a sacrifice fly by Adams scored two more runs.

The Huskies ended the game early after exploding for six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning that included an RBI single by Jake Busby, a three-run triple by Nick Ragsdale, an RBI single by Robbie Lively and an RBI single by Brophy.

Helena pitcher Troy Cordrey was the winning pitcher in the game after allowing three runs over five innings of work. Cordrey struck out one while only giving up four hits.

Game 2. Helena 12 – Jemison 4

Game two of the doubleheader featured much of the same when it came to Helena’s offense.

Over six innings, the Huskies collected 14 hits and 12 runs to defeat Jemison 12-4.

Helena took a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning before plating five runs after a two-run single by Jameson Ling, an RBI triple by Jake Busby, an RBI single by Colton Hood and a walk by Kade Jones.

Jones was 3-3 from the plate, finishing with three hits, two runs and two RBIs.

Brooks Freeman got the win on the mound for Helena after allowing four runs over four innings of work. Freeman struck out one, walked two and gave up four hits.