ravens

Regulation was not enough to decide a winner in the District 10 Semifinal last night, as Hillcrest Academy edged out Keota 4-3 in eight innings.

Keota struck first in the third inning, as Cole Kindred scored on a past ball. It would remain 1-0 into the bottom of the fourth, when a two-run single from Josiah Beachy gave the Ravens their first lead of the evening. Grant Bender would later score in the frame, giving Hillcrest a two-run lead.

The Eagles answered immediately in the top of the fifth with back-to-back RBI singles from Aidan Anderson and Chase Sieren to knot the game at three. Thanks to timely defensive stops from both sides, paired with dominant pitching, it would take extra innings to decide a winner.

One of those pitchers, Seth Ours tossed a complete game for Hillcrest, needing just 81 pitches to work through his eight innings. He allowed four hits and struck out five in the win. On the other side, Aidan Anderson delivered another quality start for Keota, surrendering just three runs on five hits, but reaching his pitch limit in the eighth. It was Tanner Waterhouse entering in relief to face Phoenix Anderson with two gone and the bases loaded. Anderson was hit by the first pitch he saw, sending Jace Rempel to the plate, and the Ravens onto the next round.

With the victory, Hillcrest Academy earned the right to host another post-season contest, as they welcome Iowa City Regina Saturday night in the District Championship.