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Ravens fall 1 run short
Hillcrest Academy loses nail-biter in district semifinal
KALONA — Hillcrest Academy and BGM went toe-to-toe in the Class 1A district 12 semifinals on Tuesday night. Hillcrest fell one run short of a spot in the district final, falling to the visiting Bears, 7-6.
Seth Ours started the game strong for Hillcrest Academy, giving up just two runs in the first three frames. The game was tied 1-1 after the two teams traded runs in the first, and Laawson Schrock gave the Ravens the lead with a two-run double off the left field fence in the third.
Hillcrest’s 3-2 lead turned into a 6-3 deficit in the fourth, as BGM capitalized on a couple of Hillcrest errors to score four runs.
The potential turning point came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Mason Bender came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Bender smashed a two-run double to right-center field, but the third run was cut down at the plate to keep the Bears on top.
After a BGM run in the fifth, Bender knocked in another run with an RBI single in the sixth, but Hillcrest left the bases loaded and the Bears led 7-6 into the seventh frames.
With two on and two outs in the top of the seventh, relief pitcher Liam Schrock made perhaps the play of the night defensively. A pop up in foul territory flew toward the fence, but Schrock jumped off the mound and made a sprinting, bobbling catch with his bare hand to end the threat and send things to the bottom of the inning.
“It was just an outstanding play,” said Hillcrest head coach Danny Hershberger. “A huge momentum shifting play.”
Hillcrest came to bat with 9-1-2 due up, but a couple of strikeouts put BGM one out away, and Ours’ long fly ball to left field was caught, and the game was over.
“I'm happy with the way the guys came back and were able to respond,” Hershberger said. “The guys stuck with it. We just didn't have quite enough tonight.”
Bender finished the game 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to led the offense. Lawson Schrock finished with a double and two RBIs. Ours collected two hits.
Ours was tagged with the loss on the mound, giving up six runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks, while striking out three batters. Lim Schrock gave up just one earned run over three frames in relief.
The Ravens ended the season 16-5. Hillcrest won the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division with a 9-2 record this year, and with no seniors on the roster, the Ravens have plenty to look forward to next season.
“It's huge to be able to come out on top in the conference. That's never an easy task,” said Hershberger. “It's something we can be proud of this year, and with everyone coming back, we're going to have a lot of experience. Guys are going to be hungry to compete next year.”
