Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Yearbook

It was two wins and a tournament title at home Saturday at the Hillcrest Classic for the Raven baseball team. The Ravens opened the day with five inning beat down of winless English Valleys 12-2. The Bears took an early lead with a pair of runs in the first, from there, it was all Hillcrest. A run in the first, four in the second, three in the third, another in the fourth, and three in the fifth finished things early. The Ravens had nine hits, three for extra bases. Bryce Bailey brought the lumber, driving in three on two hits with a run scored. Phoenix Anderson drove in two on a hit. Lincoln Miller, Liam Schrock, Rowan Miller, and Mason Helmuth all had RBI. Mason Bender scored three times, Lincoln Miller and Rowan Miller twice each. Schrock was the winning pitcher with five innings on the mound with two hits, two earned runs and seven Ks.

In the title game, the Ravens fell behind and had to hold on late against Keokuk, taking a 10-9 win. The Chiefs got up with six runs in the first. Hillcrest chipped away with one each in the second and third, got within one with three in the fourth, and caught Keokuk with five more in the fifth to take a 10-6 lead. In the seventh, the Chiefs scored three times to pull within one but the Ravens were able to close the win. The Ravens had 10 hits in the victory. Liam Schrock had three hits and drove in three. Lincoln Miller had two RBI on a hit and scored twice. Seth Ours and Lawson Schrock each added an RBI. Mason Bender and Kale Bailey each scored two times. Lawson Schrock was the winning pitcher, going six and a third with six hits, seven earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts. Anderson got the save, getting the final two outs, allowing two earned runs and four walks. Hillcrest is now 10-2 with a trip to No. 1 Burlington Notre Dame Monday.