Ravens go down swinging

Raven seniors combine for eight hits and six RBIs in postseason loss

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 7/10/21

The Hillcrest softball team was unable to protect a 6-3 fourth-inning lead at New London on Tuesday, but the Ravens went down swinging.

Led by an outstanding offensive effort from its senior …

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Ravens go down swinging

Raven seniors combine for eight hits and six RBIs in postseason loss

Posted

The Hillcrest softball team was unable to protect a 6-3 fourth-inning lead at New London on Tuesday, but the Ravens went down swinging.

Led by an outstanding offensive effort from its senior class, Hillcrest had 11 hits in the 14-10 loss to the Tigers  in the first round of the 1A regional. 

The Ravens put up four runs in the second inning after Madeline Fox tripled and scored in the first.

Gutierrez singled to center to put the Ravens ahead 2-1 in the second, and scored on a passed ball to add another run. Fox came through again with two outs, delivering a two-run double to put the Ravens ahead 5-1 after one and a half innings. 

Six days earlier, the Ravens (0-23) managed just four hits against New London (7-22) during a 15-1 home loss in four innings. 

“After that blowout loss at home, we talked about how much we still had left to give to this game and to this season, despite not having the record we would wish to have at this point,” Hillcrest coach Kent Blossom said.

“To come out hungry, but to also enjoy the playoff atmosphere and massive fan support behind them. We fed off of that energy and our players responded well. Momentum we can carry with us until we suit up again next summer.”

Eleven walks and three hit batters would come back to hurt the Ravens as New London was able to put up eight runs in the fourth inning on just two hits. 

The Ravens trailed 14-6 entering the final inning, but they weren’t done competing. 

Evelyn Gerber and Fox had back to back singles to put runners on the corner and. Esther Hughes drove in a run with a sacrifice ground ball. 

Malia Yoder’s infield single put two on base for Sarah Miller, who hit a home run over the center field fence to cut the lead to four. 

The Ravens needed one more baserunner to bring the tying run to the plate after Meredith Blossom singled and Delaney Shaw drew a walk, but a strikeout ended the game. 

The Raven seniors: Blossom, Gutierrez, Miller and Fox combined for eight hits and six RBIs. Collectively, the senior class hit for the cycle in its final game. 

“This performance of inspiration and perseverance will be a lasting legacy they leave for our returning talented players and program for many years to come,” Blossom said. 

Fox went 3-4 in her final game. She led Hillcrest with 22 hits this year and an on-base-percentage of .508. Miller finished with two hits and three RBIs. Blossom also doubled and had two hits as well.