JACKSON TWP — Kyle Helisek doesn't get hitters out with brute force.

He won't cause dust to fly off a catcher's mitt with a thunderous smack. He won't strike out 10 guys in seven innings.

But what the junior left-hander has done for the Seneca Valley baseball team is get wins, outs and respect from his teammates and opponents this season.

Helisek is 8-0 with a 2.10 ERA. The biggest win came Monday when he toppled State College to thrust the Raiders into the state championship game against Souderton at 2 p.m. Saturday at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona.

Cory Mazzoni is the Raiders' No. 1 pitcher, but Helisek might as well be 1-B.

"This year, you can just see the confidence he has when he takes the mound," said Seneca Valley coach Eric Semega. "I actually think right now that Kyle is pitching better than Cory."

Semega proved that by giving his crafty lefty the ball in the state semifinal. Helisek scattered seven hits, struck out five and didn't walk a batter to send the Raiders to the state title game.

"It was nice to know my coach and the team had confidence in me to put me in that game," Helisek said. "It was the best experience of my life."

Helisek worked hard to improve his pitching last summer so he could get the ball at crunch time.

He worked with a personal trainer two days a week and added muscle to his frame. He also added 5 mph to his sneaky fastball.

"It was a lot of leg training," Helisek said. "And upper body and shoulder work, push ups and pull ups."

Helisek's fastball was clocked at 82 mph last summer, but he said he feels like his velocity is even better now.

Helisek was promoted from the junior varsity team last season and Semega was quick to challenge his newest arm.

"Right after he came up to varsity, I pitched him against Baldwin, who had a very good offensive team, and he beat them 5-1," Semega said. "That's when I knew he was capable of pitching at this level."

Helisek's biggest weapon is a changeup that he isn't afraid to throw in any count.

He threw that changeup on a full count in the bottom of the seventh inning against State College to get out of a jam and earn the win.

"My changeup is definitely my out pitch," Helisek said. "I'll throw that even if I'm behind in the count and even if it is a fastball count. It definitely works."

Helisek said he expected to have this kind of success this season.

He wasn't sure just how good he could be, though.

"I definitely knew it was possible," Helisek said. "Last year, I didn't pitch great, but I pitched pretty good and lost a lot of low scoring games. I knew if I pitched like I did last year with the run support this year, I'd do pretty well."

Helisek and Mazzoni often compare notes and philosophies on pitching, even though they couldn't be more different.

"We have a good relationship," Helisek said. "We're exact opposites. He goes right after hitters with his fastball. I'm more about getting guys out with ground balls."

Both are juniors and both are coming back next season. That's a scary thought for opponents.

But Helisek is more focused on this season and Saturday in particular.

Mazzoni will start the game, but Helisek will be ready in the bullpen in case ace 1-A needs some help from ace 1-B.

"I'll be there in relief if need be," Helisek said. "Our team is very relaxed. We're having fun at practice, but after that first pitch, then the seriousness comes."

Staff writer Derek Pyda contributed to this story.