Dakota loses hard-fought state semifinal game to LeRoy in extra innings
PEORIA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Dakota's Class 1A state semifinal game Friday against LeRoy was literally a game of inches. A tenth inning ground ball by LeRoy's Emil Mennega glanced off the glove of Dakota's diving shortstop Finley Banks. The ball caromed into short centerfield allowing LeRoy to score the game-winning run and take the game 2-1.The two starting pitchers were superb. Dakota sophomore AJ Howarth pitched 9.2 innings allowing only six hits and two runs. Only one run was earned. She struck out nine batters.LeRoy sophomore Jacey Hagerman pitched ten innings She allowed eight hits and one run for the win to improve her record to 25-3.Dakota scored its only run in the top of the second inning when Natalie Bartha sent a fly ball to deep right field for a triple that drove in Hailey Kerchner. Dakota led 1-0 until LeRoy answered in the fifth inning on a pop fly that dropped into short centerfield. An ill-advised throw to third base to try to get a LeRoy base runner was late and wild. It got away allowing the LeRoy runner to score and tie the game.Dakota's record is now 25-6. The Indians have one more game to play in Peoria. At 9 a.m. Saturday they'll face Casey-Westfield in the 1A third-place game.To see highlights of this game and get postgame thoughts from Dakota coach Jeff Kinney, watch the media player above.
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Dakota loses hard-fought state semifinal game to LeRoy in extra innings
PEORIA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Dakota's Class 1A state semifinal game Friday against LeRoy was literally a game of inches. A tenth inning ground ball by LeRoy's Emil Mennega glanced off the glove of Dakota's diving shortstop Finley Banks. The ball caromed into short centerfield allowing LeRoy to score the game-winning run and take the game two starting pitchers were superb. Dakota sophomore AJ Howarth pitched 9.2 innings allowing only six hits and two runs. Only one run was earned. She struck out nine sophomore Jacey Hagerman pitched ten innings She allowed eight hits and one run for the win to improve her record to scored its only run in the top of the second inning when Natalie Bartha sent a fly ball to deep right field for a triple that drove in Hailey Kerchner. Dakota led 1-0 until LeRoy answered in the fifth inning on a pop fly that dropped into short centerfield. An ill-advised throw to third base to try to get a LeRoy base runner was late and wild. It got away allowing the LeRoy runner to score and tie the record is now 25-6. The Indians have one more game to play in Peoria. At 9 a.m. Saturday they'll face Casey-Westfield in the 1A third-place see highlights of this game and get postgame thoughts from Dakota coach Jeff Kinney, watch the media player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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