The Hillcrest Academy Ravens had their season ended on Wednesday by Martensdale-St. Mary’s, when the Blue Devils scored 16 unanswered runs to defeat Hillcrest 18-8.

Martensdale St. Mary’s jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as three consecutive singles and an error by Hillcrest left fielder Mason Helmuth allowed the Blue Devils to plate a pair, but Hillcrest quickly took control.

Helmuth led off the top of the second with a double, kicking off a 3-run rally to give Hillcrest its first lead of the game. Liam Schrock led off the next frame with a triple as Hillcrest scored five and extended its lead to 8-2.

In the middle of the third inning, an approximately 15-minute delay occurred as one of the umpires received medical treatment. When the game restarted, the momentum had entirely shifted.

The Blue Devils held Hillcrest scoreless for the remainder of the game and took advantage of a series of Raven errors to plate three runs in the fourth inning, 11 in the fifth, and two in the sixth to extend their lead to ten runs and win via the mercy rule. An uncharacteristic five errors did the Ravens in, more than they had in their previous three games combined.

Rowan Miller received the loss for hillcrest in relief, allowing nine runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits in two thirds of an inning. Phoenix Anderson received no decision, allowing seven runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits and three walks in four and one third innings. Danny Meyer ended the game on the bump and gave up two runs on three hits and two walks, failing to record an out in his postseason debut.

At the plate, designated hitter Rylan Good led the way for Hillcrest. He knocked in the first Raven run of the game with a sacrifice fly, ending with two RBIs and a run scored in a one-for-two performance.

Head coach Danny Hershberger described what it meant for the team to make it to the state tournament, “It’s something that I got to experience as a player and it’s something I always have wanted the guys I coach to experience because it’s the best week of the year. Any time you have an opportunity to play a great game of baseball on this stage, with the state watching, I’m so proud of our seniors, I’m so happy they were able to experience this. It’s frustrating to go out the way we did, but I think once we get a chance to look back at this year, I think we’ll be happy we were able to get to this point. We had an opportunity, and that’s all you can ask for.”

The Ravens ended their season as one of the final four teams standing in Class 1A with an 18-8 record, winning 13 of their final 15 games after a 5-6 start.