The West Central 14U Royal team had their season come to an end in the best-of-three series against Dakota Valley. After West Central won the opening game of the series, Dakota Valley won the next two games to advance to the bracket play of the 2025 South Dakota VFW Alpha Division State Tournament.
Dakota Valley 7, West Central 5
In the second game of the series, both teams scored a run in the first inning for a 1-1 tie. Dakota Valley got two runs in the bottom of the third to go ahead 3-1. West Central had a big fourth inning with four runs to take the lead at 5-3. Dakota Valley, however, would score the final four runs in the game. They got three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 6-5 lead. Dakota Valley scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-5 score.
Cooper B. had a hit and two RBIs. Davin L. and Eli K. both had a double with an RBI. Kane G., Carter N., and Dean A. all had one hit each. Aiden L. pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed six runs, four earned, on three hits and five walks with five strikeouts. Max L. pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed an earned run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Dakota Valley 7, West Central 6
In the final, winner-take-all third game of the series on Thursday, July 31st, Dakota Valley took the early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first. West Central tied the game with a run in the top of the second. Dakota Valley added four runs in the bottom of the third to grab a 5-1 lead. West Central put together a late rally. They scored three times in the top of the sixth to pull within a run, 5-4. Dakota Valley scored one more time in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 6-4.
With two outs in the top of the seventh and trailing by two runs, West Central took advantage of miscues by Dakota Valley. A hit by pitch and two errors allowed West Central to tie the game 6-6 before the final third out was recorded. Dakota Valley was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. West Central got a one-out walk in the top of the eighth, but they were unable to advance a base runner past first base. Dakota Valley started the bottom of the eighth with a hit by pitch. The runner was able to steal second and advance to third in the inning. With one out Dakota Valley got a single to drive home the winning run.
Cooper B. and Dean A. had the only two hits in the game for West Central. Luke L. had two RBIs. Kayden M. pitched five innings and allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Max L. pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on a hit and walk with four strikeouts.
