After a nice shut out win at Kickapoo to start the week, Hillcrest begins the final part of their schedule. Thursday the Hornets will host Camdenton in their final OC matchup of the year before starting the annual OC/COC Big Stick  Challenge that matches Ozark Conference teams against the Central Ozark Conference to see witch conference wins more games. Hillcrest will start Saturday hosting Nixa, then play Monday against Branson at Kickapoo, Wednesday at Ozark and Thursday at Willard. With Districts around the corner this will be the final tune-up before they start.***UPDATE***Defeated Camdenton 6-5 in 8 innings but lost to  Nixa 6-3 on Saturday. Beat Branson 10-9 on Monday.

Hillcrest has three games this week as they try to  warm-up their bats before district play. The Hornets take on Eldorado Springs  on Monday on the Hill and West Plains on Tuesday. After an off day they will take on city rivals Parkview at the annual Grant Street Battle this time hosted at Parkview. The Hornets are only averaging a little over 3.5 runs per game and will need to improve to make noise in district play.***UPDATE***Hillcrest beat Eldorado Springs 12-2 in five innings and defeated West Plains on Tuesday. Loss to Parkview Thursday.

Hillcrest begins a grueling part of thier schedule this week where they play 10 games in the next 10 days. After their 3-1 defeat to Lebanon on Monday, the Hornets (3-4)  play everyday but April 11th, 13th, and 16th with double headers on the 11th, 12th  and 18th. Hillcrest will start the stretch with the Red & Blue Classic on Friday with games also on Saturday. Next week they face 3 conference opponents taking on Rolla Joplin and Glendale on the 14th 15th and 17th, respectively. Hillcrest will finish it out with a trip to Kansas at the River City Baseball Festival. They will play 2 games on the 18th at the University of Kansas and a game on the 19th at Community America Ballpark.  ***UPDATE***The Hornets lost three games in the Red and Blue Classic and fell to Rolla 6-0 on Monday. Loss to Joplin 10-5 on Tuesday. Hornets fell to Glendale 9-3 on Thursday. Loss three at the RCBF in Kansas.