Helix Beats Valhalla, Returns to CIF Championship Game on Saturday

Junior outfielder Kacy Smith set the tone in the first inning, smacking a solo home run for Helix Charter High School.  Then homers in the fourth by sophomore Kraig Fahrer and the sixth by senior Jake Reed helped the Scotties cruise past Valhalla High School 5-1 Tuesday in the seniors’ final game at home—and second-to-last of the season. Next up: The CIF San Diego section Division II championship game at 4 p.m. Saturday at SDSU’s Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Star quarterback Brandon Lewis threw six shutout innings, with eight strikeouts, and fellow senior Mauro Olivarria allowed a run in the seventh but got the save for the host Highlanders a day before they graduate. “Hey, who cares?” Helix coach Cole Holland said when Valhalla junior Kyle Provancha crossed home plate.

Helix will meet either Steele Canyon or La Costa Canyon on Saturday.  Helix’s fellow charter school in the Grossmont Union High School District prevailed Tuesday 6-3 to set up a rematch Thursday at La Costa Canyon. Helix beat Steele Canyon at Petco 1-0 on April 29 but lost to the Cougars 15-6 and 4-3 earlier this month. La Costa Canyon is the top seed in Division II. Helix is No. 2, and will return to the Division II finals for the second straight year.