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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HELENA – Entering the day, the Helena Huskies, Chelsea Hornets and Spain Park Jaguars all had a shot at hosting the area tournament. Now, Helena stands alone atop Class 6A, Area 7 with a chance to finish off the regular season area title on Thursday night.

Helena defeated Chelsea 6-5 on Tuesday, April 15 at Helena High School after surviving a three-run rally by the Hornets in the top of the seventh.

What’s more, the Pelham Panthers upset Spain Park for their first area win of the season, leaving the Huskies atop the area at 4-1 and in control of their own destiny.

After the first two innings were dominated by solid pitching from Marlee Parsons of Helena and Alaysha Crews of Chelsea, the Huskies broke through to start the bottom of the third after Izabel Vice fought through four foul balls to launch a solo shot to left for the 1-0 lead.

Katie Hopson quickly equalized with a solo home run of her own to start the fourth inning, and after a Caroline Brown double, Sydney Carroll brought her home with a double of her own to open up a 2-1 lead.

Helena loaded up the bases as three of the first four batters of the bottom of the fourth reached off a hit by pitch, Baleigh Sprouse single and finally a walk. Lily Sanderson tied the game up at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to start a big rally.

Addison Draiss took a 4-2 lead with a two-run double that forced a Hornets pitching change. Carrington Schiefer then singled to extend the lead to 5-2.

Destiny Brashears wasted little time in the bottom of the fifth making it a 6-2 ball game by taking a full-count pitch for a solo home run.

However, a pair of errors with one out in the top of the seventh opened the door for a Chelsea comeback. Sadie Wilson got an RBI single before the Huskies went to the bullpen. A passed ball brought home Olivia Palfreeman before Hopson’s sacrifice fly made it a one-run game.

Schiefer then slammed the door shut with a strikeout on a full count to take the 6-5 win.

Draiss was the lone Husky with a multi-hit game as she finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run.

Parsons took the win with 10 strikeouts across 6.1 innings. Only two of the five runs were charged as earned runs as she gave up four hits and two walks before Schiefer came in and got the save.

The Huskies improved to 22-12-2 on the year and will finish area play on Thursday, April 17 against Spain Park. The game starts at 4:30 p.m. at Helena High School.

Chelsea dropped to 24-12-1 and finishes area play 3-3. The Hornets will play their final tournament of the year on April 18 and 19 when they take part in the Hoover Classic at the Hoover Met Complex alongside Helena.