Photo Courtesy of Jeff Yoder

The Hillcrest Academy Raven baseball team made a great escape Saturday night, coming back late to beat HLV in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs 5-4. The Ravens got up early with a run in the first. The Warriors then got single tallies in the second and third each, and added two in the fourth to go up 4-1. Down to their last nine outs, the Raven bats came to life, scoring four times in the fifth, including a clutch Liam Schrock homer, to wrestle away the lead at 5-4. With the advantage, Raven pitcher Rowan Miller slammed the door on the Warriors over the last two innings.

HLV out hit Hillcrest 8-4. The Ravens drew three walks and committed no errors. Liam Schrock had a multi-hit day with two RBI and two runs scored. Lawson Schrock and Bryce Bailey both connected for a hit. Mason Bender, Lawson Schrock and Bailey all scored a run. Miller was the winner, finishing all seven with five hits, one earned run, two walks and eight Ks. Hillcrest is now 16-4 on the year, HLV’s season ends at 2-14. The Ravens are back on the field Tuesday at 7p.m. when they host the BGM Bears in the 1A District semifinals.