The Hillcrest Academy softball team is poised to open the 2020 season on Monday. The Ravens are coming off of a season that saw them finish with a 3-20 overall record and 3-13 in the Southeast Iowa Superconference. They scored wins over Columbus and Mediapolis twice during the year.

The Ravens hit .218 as a team, ninth in the Superconference North division. Hillcrest was led at the plate by Suzanna Yoder and her .373 average. Yoder finished with 14 hits, 22 runs scored and 11RBI. Along with Yoder at the top was fellow senior Rubye Ney and her .345 average including 20 hits, 10 runs scored and 10 RBI. Their leading returner at the plate is Mia Graber and her .271 average with 16 hits, 10 RBI and nine runs scored.

In the circle, the Ravens posted an 8.63 team ERA, eighth in the Superconference North. Leah Bontrager returns as the team leader for her sophomore season. As a freshman she had a 3-19 overall record with an 8.15ERA. This week, Hillcrest head coach Kent Blossom talked about this year’s captain. “One of the things I am most excited about is a special opportunity for senior Mia Graber who has had a difficult road in the past with two ACL tears during her high school career. She is set to come back and help lead our team as a captain.”

The Ravens open their season Monday when they travel to Highland to take on the Huskies. You can hear all of the action live on AM 1380, FM 102.5 and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Washington HyVee pregame show at 6:30 and first pitch at 7p.m.