Ravens Softball Update
The Hillcrest Academy softball program welcomed several new members to the JV and Varsity roster last week with a strong incoming freshman class this fall. The Ravens travelled to Mediapolis last Thursday evening in which it included the first Junior Varsity game of the year. After a back and forth game with lots of offense, Mediapolis scored in bottom half of the 4th inning to win 12-11 in a time shortened game. Incoming Freshman Delaney Shaw had two hits, including a double and a home run, driving in 4 and having 3 runs scored. Malia Yoder had a triple, 2 RBIs and also 3 runs scored. Grace Miller had two hits, a double, and 3 runs scored.
In the nightcap, the Varsity team took on their SEISC conference opponent, but got down early in the game as Mediapolis scored 8 runs in their bottom half of the first inning to put significant pressure on Hillcrest to try to climb back and make it a game. The offense battled to the end, coming back with 8 runs themselves, but in the end Mediapolis just continued to put up more runs up and won, 18-8 in 6 innings. Hillcrest was led offensively by Madeline Fox with 2 hits, including a double and two runs scored. Sarah Miller also added two hits, including a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Incoming Freshman, Malia Yoder had two hits, two runs scored and 1 RBI in her first varsity game. Evelyn Gerber and Esther Hughes each added a hit.
On Friday, Hillcrest hosted Pekin on Friday night in another SEISC conference showdown in a JV/V double-header. In the JV game, Hillcrest and Pekin tied 6-6 due to time limit. Malia Yoder started and pitched well in the circle with Norah Yoder providing an inning of relief. Grace Miller added two hits, while Delaney Shaw and Malia each had a hit for Hillcrest.
In the Varsity game, the Pekin Panthers rallied to score 16 runs while limiting Hillcrest to 2 in 4 innings of play. Junior Leah Bontrager collected 4 strikeouts in the game while only giving up 9 of those as earned runs. Evelyn Gerber, Esther Hughes, Grace Miller, and Malia Yoder each had two hits in the ballgame. Yani Gutierrez added a hit and an RBI. Incoming Freshman Delaney Shaw added a hit for the Ravens in her first varsity at-bat.