Five Ravens Finish On All-District Team

posted by Zach Ulin, KCIIRadio.com

After finding success on the diamond in 2023, the Hillcrest Academy Raven baseball team continues to find plenty of hardware coming their way in postseason accolades. Recently, five players were named to the Class 1A Southeast All-District Team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association.

The group included three first team selections.

Senior Luke Schrock was chosen as a first-teamer at shortstop. The Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division Player of the Year 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.

Fellow senior Jace Rempel was a first team selection at third base. 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.

Ravens sophomore Seth Ours was a first team choice as a utility man. He led the conference and was seventh in 1A with a 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 totalled 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.

Hillcrest had two second teamers.

Senior Grant Bender was selected as an 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.

Sophomore Liam Schrock was named to the second team at utility. 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.

All five of these players were unanimous first team All-Superconference North Division selections and helped the Ravens win their first Superconference title since 2009 with an unbeaten 12-0 record and capture the District 10 title, finishing with a 21-5 overall record.