An annual tradition continues this weekend in Kalona as the Hillcrest Academy Raven baseball and softball teams host the Hillcrest Classic. The Raven baseballers come into the day 13-2 overall, 9-0 in the Southeast Iowa Superconference after a mercy rule win over Wapello Friday. Hillcrest is hitting .349 as a team with 151 runs on 128 hits. Luke Schrock leads with a .558 average, 27 runs scored and 24 hits. Grant Bender has a team best 21 RBI. The Raven team ERA is 2.16 in 81 innings with a .206 opponent average on 62 hits, 25 earned runs 25 walks and 91 strikeouts. Schrock, Rowan Miller and Seth Ours are a combined 7-0 with an ERA under 0.50. Joining Hillcrest at today’s boys tournament are English Valleys and Keokuk. The Ravens open the day with a matchup against the Bears.

The Raven softball team is 5-11 this year, 3-8 in the Superconference after falling to Wapello Friday. The Ravens are hitting .292 as a group with 71 runs on 82 hits. Delaney Shaw is the leader with a .452 average on 14 hits. Malia Yoder has a team best 18 runs scored and Lydia Beachy has 14 RBI. Hillcrest has a 9.88 team ERA in 68 innings with a .224 opponent average on 102 hits, 96 earned runs, 95 walks and 74 strikeouts. Yoder is 4-9 this year with a 7.68 ERA. Joining the Raven girls in the tournament are English Valleys and Danville. The Hillcrest girls will start the day taking on the Bears, who they beat 10-1 on opening night.

We’ll have live coverage on AM 1380, FM 102.5 and KCIIradio.com in Kalona Saturday for the Raven softball team in their opener against Danville, starting with the Jessica Yoder and Sarah Bigley with Lepic Kroeger Realtors Pregame show at 9:30a.m. first pitch at 10 and the Ravens afternoon baseball game against Keokuk to follow.