RAVENS HANDLE PANTHERS, IMPROVE TO 2-1

For the first time since 2012, Hillcrest Academy softball begins their season 2-1 following a 13-6 victory over the Pekin Panthers.

Coming off of a loss to Louisa-Muscatine Friday, the Ravens found themselves down early in their home opener. Hillcrest responded, however, plating four runs in the bottom of the first to take a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. They added an insurance run to go ahead 5-3 in the second, before pulling away thanks to three in the fourth and five in the fifth, all scoring with two outs.

Lydia Beachy recorded her best performance at the plate so far this season, finishing 3-3 with a game-high four RBI’s. Erin Bontrager added two hits, knocking in her first run of the year, while additional RBI’s came from Morgyn Nafziger, Delaney Shaw, and Kylee Statler. The top three spots for the Ravens set the table all night, reaching base a combined 12 times, scoring 10 of their 13 runs.

After some adversity early, pitcher Malia Yoder settled in, going the distance on her way to win number 2. In seven innings, Yoder allowed just three earned runs, nine hits, and struck out 10.

Ezra Parsons picked up the loss for Pekin, who fell to 0-4. Anna Hadley led the way at the plate for the Panthers, going 3-4 with a run, and two RBI’s.

Hillcrest Academy, now 2-1, will travel to Wapello tomorrow night for a conference battle with the Arrows.