Photo Courtesy of Hillcrest Academy Sports

The ninth biggest story in Hillcrest Academy athletics during the last school year took place on the softball diamond. After winless seasons in 2020 and 2021 that included a 40 game losing streak that continued into early 2022, the Raven program has continued it’s progress over the last 12 plus months. Hillcrest completed a four win campaign in 2022, and backed that up with seven wins this season. The Ravens improved from one year to the next in eight different team statistics.

Offensively, Hillcrest saw their team on base percentage rise from .340 to .398, led by Delaney Shaw at .535, which ranked fourth in the Superconference. The Ravens stole nine more bases in 2023 than in 2022, a total of 54, led by 16 for Malia Yoder. Hillcrest scored 119 runs in 2023, 20 more than the previous season, led by 23 from Yoder. The Ravens also drove in 98 runs, compared to 73 the previous year, led by 20 from Lydia Beachy. In the circle, Hillcrest held opposing hitters to a .242 average, down 45 points from last season, led by Yoder’s .242 average against. The Raven staff also struck out 120 opposing batters in 2023, 19 more than the year before, paced by Yoder’s 116 punchouts.

Hillcrest had four players earn All-Conference spots including Shaw on first team, Yoder on second team and Morgyn Nafziger and Erin Bontrager as honorable mention picks. The Ravens finished the year with a 7-17 overall record, their highest win total since 2016, which included an opening night victory for the first time since 2011.

Our top 10 Hillcrest sports story countdown continues Wednesday when we spotlight those who put their names in the school record books during the fall sports season.