English Valleys Bears (North English, IA) backers exited the stadium thrilled Saturday as they saw their softball squad nip the visiting Hillcrest Academy Ravens (Kalona, IA), 6-3 in a non-league challenge.

The Bears now own a 12-3 record. They take the field next when they host Belle Plaine for a South Iowa Cedar challenge on Monday, June 17. English Valleys will face a Plainsmen squad coming off a 11-0 non-league loss to Sigourney (Sigourney, IA). The Plainsmen record now stands at 7-8.

With the loss, Hillcrest Academy falls to 4-6 on the campaign. The Ravens host Keota (Keota, IA) to face the Eagles in a non-league challenge on Saturday, June 15. The Eagles enter the challenge with a record of 1-12. Keota lost 16-6 in their recent league challenge against Iowa Valley (Marengo, IA)