Hillcrest Ravens’ (3-2, 3-2) starting pitcher Seth Ours threw a complete game shutout, outdueling Lone Tree (2-6, 1-4) starter Jack Patterson in a 2-0 Hillcrest victory Tuesday night.

Patterson kickstarted an early threat for the Lions with a first-inning double, after which defending Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division Player of the Year Emmett Burke reached on an error to set up a two-on, one-out situation for senior Brody Magruder, who hit into a 4-6-3 double play. 

Ours held Lone Tree hitless from there until the sixth inning, when Burke hit a double of his own into straightaway center field. Magruder came up once again with an RBI opportunity. This time he hit a liner to center field that seemed like a sure hit, but senior Mason Bender laid out for a run-saving diving catch to end the inning.

Hillcrest did its damage early in the game, as a first-inning single by Mason Helmuth and a second-inning double by Phoenix Anderson each produced an RBI, providing all the run support that Ours needed.

Ours ended the night with nine strikeouts while surrendering just two hits and one walk in seven innings of work, “I know I can pitch to contact, which I like to do a lot. It’s great knowing that my defense has my back and I can trust them to make the plays when they’re needed. 

Despite taking the loss, Patterson’s statline was also efficient, giving up two runs on five hits and one walk.

Tuesday night was the fourth consecutive game without a run scored for the Lions.

Lone Tree will retake the diamond Wednesday night when it hosts the Springville Orioles, while Hillcrest has a day off before traveling to Winfield-Mt. Union on Thursday to take on the Wolves.