It was super sectional night for high school softball around the state on Monday. In class 1A, the West Central Heat was on the artificial turf field at Sterling High School. It was the same location for the Heat’s only other super sectional appearance in 2022. West Central was taking a 28 game winning streak into their game against Dakota for the right to move on to this weekend’s IHSA state finals at the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria. In the final regular season Illinois Coaches Association poll, West Central was ranked #5 in 1A and Dakota was #7.
The Heat struck first scoring a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd on a towering 2-run home run from Miley Stimpson. West Central added a solo run in the top of the 4th on an rbi groundball by Becca Hinshaw, scoring Payton Link. Besides hitting a home run, Stimpson was dealing in the pitching circle, keeping Dakota hit-less into the bottom of the 5th. The Indians would start the 5th with five straight hits, including three doubles. Added to the offensive onslaught, West Central would have uncharacteristic troubles on defense and when the final out was finally made, Dakota would score six runs. It would be the first time West Central would find themselves trailing at the end of an inning since May 11th, a span of 10 games.
The score would remain 6-3 going into the Heat’s final at bat in the top of the 7th. West Central would not go quietly, beginning the frame with a pair of singles by Linny Corzatt and Stimpson, followed by a 2-run double by Lauren Winters make it a 1-run game. Two line outs, a walk and a fly out ended the season for the Heat as Dakota moves on to the IHSA state finals with a 6-5 victory.
West Central ends a record-setting season with a record of (33-3-1). Dakota improves to (29-4) and will take on (23-5-1) Okawville on Thursday in the IHSA Final Four semifinals. Okawville gave Triopia/Meredosia/Chambersburg/Virginia only their second loss of the season in a 4-3 win in Athens last night. Dakota took 4th in class 1A in 2025.
In class 2A on Monday night, the Prairieland Conference’s Brimfield/Elmwood Indians were at the Eastside Center in East Peoria for their super sectional game against Seneca. The Brimfield/Elmwood offense couldn’t get anything going in a 3-0 loss ending their season at (29-6). Seneca will take an impressive (38-2) record into the 2a state semifinals on Thursday afternoon against (30-5) IC Catholic. IC Catholic beat Stillman Valley 1-0 in Lisle in their super sectional on Monday.
***Photo courtesy of West Central Athletic Association***
