Ravens softball wins season opener against Bears
Article submitted by Coach Kent Blossom
The young Ravens softball team opened up the 2023 season on the road at Danville Thursday night. With graduating five seniors last year, the roster is filled with a plethora of sophomores and freshman. Hillcrest got things started early, when catcher Delaney Shaw ripped a 2-out double to left-center. Then it was left-fielder Kylee Statler that knock-ed the season’s first run with a single up the middle, scoring Shaw and giving Hillcrest the early 1-0 lead. Freshman center-fielder, Stavia Miller then gets the bats rolling again in the top half of the third inning with a lead-off double. Following a couple walks, Kylee Statler comes through again with a single to right center, scoring Stavia and Malia Yoder who reached on one of those walks. Third-baseman Lydia Beachy followed with an RBI through a ground-out scoring Morgyn Nafziger, who reached on a walk and Statler comes across the plate following a passed ball making the score 5-0. Danville will get one back in their bottom half of the third inning on through unearned run. After another run punches through in the 5th, the Ravens put up 4 more in the 5th inning behind a 2-RBI double by Malia Yoder. All 9 Ravens hitters either got a hit or reached base safely in the game. Leading the way offensively was Kylee Statler with 3 hits and 3 RBIs. Malia Yoder had two doubles and 3 RBIs as well. With the strong offensive showing, it was the strength of Sophomore pitcher Malia Yoder in the circle that generated the positive momentum for the Ravens as she baffled the Danville Bear hitters early on and through the evening, collecting a total of 13 strikeouts and only allowing 1 hit as Hillcrest goes on for the 10-1 victory.
The Ravens are on the road again Friday night as they travel to defending conference champions, Louisa-Muscatine. The Home Opener is set for next Tuesday night (May 30th) as they host Pekin in a one varsity game with the first pitch at 6:30pm.
Below article submitted by KCII regarding Softball & Baseball opener & upcoming game.
RAVENS READY FOR FALCONS IN LETTS
The Hillcrest Academy Raven baseball and softball teams are back on the diamond Friday for a set of Southeast Iowa Supeconference contests against Louisa-Muscatine. The Raven softball team opened the season Thursday with an emphatic 10-1 win over the Bears in Danville. Malia Yoder twirled a complete game against the Bears, striking out 13, allowing just one hit and walking three, in her first career victory. Kylee Statler was three of five at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored. Yoder also drove in three. Seven different players had a hit and each Raven in the starting lineup reached base at least once.
L-M softball is 1-0 after an 8-7 win over Highland to start the campaign this week. The Falcons were led by Morgan Stecher’s four for four night with an RBI, Hannah Kissell drove in a pair. Kissell was the winner in the circle going six and a third, allowing 11 hits, seven runs, walking five and striking out four. Kiki Enriquez had the two out save. The Falcons have won 19 in a row over the Ravens dating back to 2011, including a 12-0 win last season.
The Hillcrest boys are 1-0 after dominating Danville on the road 18-0 Thursday. Hillcrest pounded out nine total hits. Luke Schrock was three for four with two RBI and three runs scored. Rowan Miller and Josiah Beachy each drove in three, Jace Rempel had two RBI. Phoenix Anderson was the winning pitcher working four innings.
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