Entire Ravens Lineup Receives All-Conference Awards

posted by Zach Ulin, KCIIRadio.com

Many times coaches will discuss victories as “team” wins. It was truly a group affair in Kalona this summer for the Hillcrest Academy Raven baseball team. The North Division Superconference champions had all nine of the members of their starting lineup named to All-SEISC teams this week.

Six Ravens were first-team all-league selections. Five of those were unanimous.

Senior Luke Schrock was named Superconference Player of the Year. He hit a north division best .468 with a .546OBP and .759 slug both second best. Schrock ended with 37 hits, best in the north, 16 for extra bases, a north leading 40 runs scored, and 28RBI, third in the north. On the hill, Schrock worked 30 innings with a 1.15ERA, fifth best in the north division. His 0.59 WHIP was third in 1A for those with at least 30 innings thrown. He gave up just a .144 opponent average, best in the conference for those meeting 30 innings thrown, 16 total hits also best, just five earned runs, second for those with 30 innings, two walks, second best in the state with a 5-0 record.

Senior Grant Bender was a unanimous first team All-Superconference outfielder. He led the team with a 98% fielding percentage, with just one error all season. He hit .354, 10th in the north, with a .722 slug, third in the league. Bender finished with 28 hits, fourth in the conference with 15 for extra bases including five homers, fifth in 1A, and 39RBI, 10th in 1A. He worked six innings on the mound with a 1.17ERA with four hits allowed, one earned run, nine walks, four Ks and a 1-0 record.

Senior Jace Rempel was a unanimous first team pick on the infield. He hit .315 with a .448OBP with 23 hits, eighth in the league, four for extra bases, 29 runs scored fourth in the Superconference north with 26 driven in, also fourth. In a small sample size on the mound, he worked 12 innings with a .125 opponent average, giving up three hits, no earned runs, walking 10 and striking out 10 with a 1-0 record.

Sophomore Seth Ours was a unanimous first team pick on the mound. He led the conference and was seventh in 1A with an 0.67 ERA for those with at least 40 innings of work. His 0.71 WHIP was fifth in 1A and best in the conference for those with the same qualifications. He gave up 27 hits, four earned runs, fourth fewest in 1A, three walks, third in 1A, and struck out 38, finishing with a 6-1 record. At the plate, he hit .354, 10th in conference with .500OBP, sixth in the league, with an eighth in the north .456 slug. He totaled 28 hits, fourth in the league with five for extra bases including a homer, scored 37 times, third in the north, drove in 21 and walked 17 times.

Sophomore Liam Schrock was a unanimous first team selection behind the plate. He hit .406, fourth in the Superconference north, with a .588OBP best in the conference with a league leading .812 slug. He finished with 28 hits, 14 for extra bases including six homers, third in the state. he scored 38 times, second in the north with 20 driven in, sixth best and 29 walks, seventh in 1A. He threw out 15 runners this year, third in 1A.

Freshman Rowan Miller was named to the first team as an infielder. He hit .338 this season with 23 hits, three for extra bases with a homer, his .479OBP was 10th in the north. Miller drove in 30, second in the north, scored 26 times sixth most in conference, drawing 21 walks, second in the Superconference. On the mound he went 3-1 with a 0.98ERA, 0.77WHIP in 14 innings with a .120 opponent average, six hits two earned runs and 23 strikeouts.

Senior Josiah Beachy was a second team Superconference selection as an infielder. He hit .348 with a .477OBP. That included 24 hits, five for extra bases, 21 RBI, fifth in the north, and 17 runs scored. As a pitcher he was 2-2 with a 4.55ERA in 20 innings. Opponents hit .318 against him with 27 hits, 13 earned runs, four walks and 16Ks.

The Ravens had a pair of honorable mention picks with sophomores Phoenix Anderson and Mason Bender. Anderson was a big part of the Hillcrest pitching staff, going 3-1 with a 3.75ERA in 28 innings of work, giving up an opponent batting average of .287 with 31 hits, 15 earned runs and 17Ks. At the plate, Mason Bender was .206 with 14 hits, eight RBI and 15 runs scored.

Hillcrest took home the Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division title with unbeaten 12-0 record, finishing 21-5 overall.