Hillcrest Academy baseball walks off Keota

KALONA — Keota gave it quite the effort in Wednesday night’s Class 1A District 5 quarterfinal bout with Hillcrest Academy, but the Ravens had just enough to get through to the semifinals.

The Hillcrest Academy baseball team staved off elimination with an extra innings victory, beating Keota 4-3 in eight innings.

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The Eagles used a strong start from ace Aidan Anderson to hold the Ravens scoreless through the first three innings. Meanwhile, Keota plated one in the third to take a 1-0 lead.

Hillcrest Academy finally got to Anderson in the fourth, scoring three runs. The Eagles hit right back with two runs in the top of the fifth and the game was tied 3-3.

The game stayed tied until the bottom of the eighth when the Ravens finally scored the winning run with two outs in the inning, ending Keota’s season in the process.

Hillcrest Academy’s Josiah Beachy led the way, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Phoenix Anderson knocked in one run. Luke Schrock, Rowan Miller and Mason Bender each had a hit.

Hillcrest Academy’s Seth Ours threw a complete game, giving up just three runs (two earned) on four hits, while striking out six batters.

Anderson went 7.1 innings, throwing the maximum of 110 pitches. He gave up four runs (three earned) on four hits and four walks, while striking out two batters. Tanner Waterhouse came in to get an out in the eighth before Hillcrest’s winning run scored.

Anderson, Chase Sieren and Caleb Watterhouse each had RBIs for the Eagles. Cole Kindred and Billie Kindred both had a hit.

Keota’s season ended at 11-12 overall. Hillcrest Academy is now sitting at 20-4. The Ravens will play Regina Catholic in the district final at Hillcrest on Saturday night at 7 p.m. The winner of that game will play either top-seeded Notre Dame or Moravia in the Substate 5 championship on Tuesday.