The Hillcrest Academy baseball and softball teams head south Thursday to take on the Danville Bears in a set of Southeast Iowa Superconference crossover contests. The Hillcrest baseball team is 0-1 on the year after a late lead slipped away against Highland Tuesday, falling to the Huskies 5-2. In the game, Jace Rempel led the way going two for three, Josiah Beachy had the lone RBI. Luke Schrock took the loss on the mound, giving up four hits and four runs while striking out one in relief.

Danville was a 9-5 winner over Central Lee on Tuesday, using a six-run second inning to take control of the contest. Grifen Molle, Cam Edle and Tyler Hartman each had two hits in the win. Edle, Hartman and Klayton Kleinkopf each drove in a pair. Jaden Bauer got the win on the hill, giving up seven hits, five runs and striking out two. Hillcrest has won nine of the last 12 in the series, including four straight with a 17-2 victory in 2018 in their last meeting.

The Raven softball team comes into the night 0-2, after falling in a doubleheader to Highland Tuesday by 14-0 and 13-1 scores in Kalona. Hillcrest is led on the year by Esther Hughes with three hits, Sarah Miller with one RBI and Leah Bontrager with seven and two thirds innings thrown in the circle with five Ks.

Danville is 0-1 on the young season, losing to Central Lee Tuesday 6-2, despite two hits from Carlea Beckman, an RBI from Madison Helmick and a complete game three strikeout performance in the circle from Haiden Molter. Danville has won 10 of the last 13 in the series, including four straight and a 19-2 win in 2019. Action in both games starts tonight at 5:30 at Danville High School.