Hillcrest Academy played host to a postseason double-header Saturday night. Keota won the district opener, handling Pekin 7-1 in game one, while the Ravens topped rival Lone Tree 12-2 in the nightcap.

The Eagles jumped to an early lead in their contest, scoring four in the first inning thanks to hits from Tanner Waterhouse, Caleb Waterhouse, and Aidan Anderson. A steady offensive attack from the Eagles added a run in the third, fourth and fifth. Tanner Waterhouse led Keota hitters, going a perfect 3-3 on the evening, scoring twice. Caleb Waterhouse and Cole Kindred each added an RBI, as six different Eagles crossed the plate in the victory.

Seven runs was plenty for Anderson, who shined on the mound for Keota. The senior fanned 10 Panthers en route to the win, allowing just two hits in the complete game. Pekin’s Hudson VanEnglenhoven provided one of those hits, scoring the lone run off an RBI single from fellow senior Joseph Coates. The season came to an end for the Panthers, who finish the 2023 campaign with a 7-15 record.

Hillcrest took the field in game two behind pitcher Luke Schrock who tossed four innings of one-hit baseball, allowing two runs and striking out six Lions in a winning effort. A career-night for Liam Schrock led the way on the offensive end, as the sophomore launched three home runs to double his season total, including a grand slam in the second. The Raven leadoff man finished the night 4-4 with seven driven in. Grant Bender followed suit with a three-run blast of his own, coming up a triple shy of the cycle in a 3-3 performance at the plate.

A two-run double in the fourth inning from Lone Tree’s Maddox Jondle staved off the shutout for the Lions, who were eliminated from postseason play Saturday. Seth Ours came on in the fifth for Hillcrest, closing out the game with two no-hit frames before Luke Schrock walked it off with an RBI single in the sixth.

With their respective wins, the Ravens and Eagles will meet in the second round of district play. The battle of the birds is set to go down Wednesday night at Hillcrest Academy.