KALONA

In the latest conference clash between Hillcrest and Lone Tree both team’s starting pitchers made home difficult to reach, but two early runs proved to be vital as the Ravens (3-2) defeated the visiting Lions (2-6), 2-0 on June 10. 

The Ravens scored what ended up being the game winning run in the first inning when Mason Helmuth brought in a score with an RBI single. They added an insurance run in the second after fellow senior Phoenix Anderson connected on a RBI double.

Also recording hits for Hillcrest were Seth Ours, Lawson Schrock, and Lincoln Miller.

For the next five innings the score did not change as Ours and Lone Tree’s Jack Patterson showed off their pitching prowess.

Through seven innings, Ours delivered nine strikeouts and allowed two hits. Through six innings, Patterson tallied seven strikeouts and allowed five hits.

The two hits Lone Tree ended the night with came from Patterson and Emmett Burke.

This was Hillcrest’s seventh straight victory over Lone Tree as they lead the all time series, 23-9. The Lions last win over the Ravens came in 2022.

Hillcrest 3, W-MU 2

Ushering in back-to-back conference wins, Hillcrest (4-2) went on the road to earn a slim victory over Winfield-Mt Union (2-7) last Thursday.

Hillcrest took an early lead after scoring two runs in the first and the Wolves eventually tied the game with a run in the second and another in the fourth.

This knotted up score remained the same until the seventh where the Ravens scored the go-head run and kept W-MU from scoring in the bottom of the inning to secure the hard fought win.

Hillcrest’s RBIs came from Liam Schrock, Rowan Miller, and Mason Helmuth. The Raven’s winning pitcher was Phoenix Andeson as the senior went the distance, striking out six while allowing three walks.

For the Ravens, this was their 14th consecutive victory over W-MU with the Wolves last win over Hillcrest coming in 2016.

Louisa-Muscatine 5, Hillcrest 3

Dropping their first conference contest of the season, the Ravens (4-3) were defeated by the visiting Louisa-Muscatine Falcons (4-7) last Friday. 

After six innings played, both teams entered the seventh inning knotted up at 1-1. In the top of the seventh the Falcons found their offense with four runs scored.

Hillcrest responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning but it was not enough as the Louisa-Muscatine defense stood firm after those scores to secure the win.

On offense the Ravens were led by Rowan Miller as he ended with a team high two hits. The junior also pitched all seven innings for Hillcrest, finishing with three strikeouts and allowing four walks. 

Mason Helmuth led the charge in the RBI category as the senior brought in two runs. Phoenix Anderson also ended with an RBI.

Home Triangular

This past weekend the Ravens hosted a triangular and split a pair of contests. Hillcrest cruised to a 13-0 win over Keokuk (1-11) but also suffered a close 8-7 loss to Central Lee (10-2).

Hillcrest’s matchup against Keokuk was cut short due to the mercy rule as the Ravens totaled six runs after three innings played.

Lawson Schrock earned the win on the mound for the Ravens as the sophomore pitched in five innings to end with three strikeouts while only allowing three hits and one walk.

Liam Schrock excelled on offense with two home runs and a team high five RBIs. Also recording multiple RBIs was Rowan Miller as he finished with three.

In the matchup against Central Lee, the Ravens found themselves trailing by seven entering the bottom of the seventh.

It was a valiant effort by Hillcrest as they scored six times to cut its deficit to a single run, but the rally ultimately fell short.   

Liam Schrock once again made his presence known with his third HR of the season. The senior finished with a team high three RBIs.

Pitching for Hillcrest was Ethan Yoder and Danny Meyer. Yoder pitched in 3.1 innings and Meyer pitched in 3.2, recording one strikeout.

New London 5, Hillcrest 4

Hillcrest went on the road for a non-conference matchup against New London last Monday and it was the Tigers (9-6) who earned a comeback victory.

Through four innings the Ravens held a 4-2 lead. New London scored two runs in the fifth to knot up the score and then scored the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Up next for Hillcrest (5-5) is going on the road for a conference contest against Wapello (1-9) on June 19.