Mills struck out 13 batters and was hitless while the Viking garnered enough offense
Five runs gave Mills plenty of cushion on a masterful night.
In a one game elimination Friday, pitcher Dakota Mills struck out 13 batters and pitched a complete game no-hitter to propel the Dulles Vikings to its first state appearance since 1989, with a 5-2 victory over Jersey Village in the 5A Region III Finals at Cougar Field.
The win wipes out a 24-year absence, as the Vikings will play next Friday in Round Rock at a time to be determined.
Dakota Mills (13-0) a West Virginia signee had as many strikes as his record indicates, with a pair of walks and two unearned runs.
“That’s what he’s done all year”, said Dulles coach Welch (speaking of pitcher Dakota Mills performance). It’s not surprising to anyone on this team. If you saw us through the district, in tight games, he’s just done it all year. He’s worked his tail off for four years. He works harder than anyone out here.”
Mills’ near perfect night included, hitting one batter and surrendering two walks.
“I was just hitting my spots and coach was calling a great game,” Vikings pitcher Dakota Mills said. I was excited to do it and I had great defense behind me and I had confidence. Darryn Sheppard doing that double play, in the sixth inning, really gave us a lot of momentum going for the last three outs.”
Not since a 4-1 win over Corpus Christi Carroll in the 1989 final, have the Vikings advanced this deep in the playoffs.
As for the Falcons, its biggest problem was Mills, who had at least one, strike out in every inning. Guessing at pitches and trying to solve Mills was a mystery to Jersey Village batters.
“He (Dakota Mills) was a whole lot tougher than I thought he’d be,” added Jersey Village coach Robb Jensen. He was on tonight. His first pitch strike was incredible. Seven out of the first nine batters, he fanned. He just dominated from the get go and made it tough.
Opposing pitcher Kirby Peek struck out five batters, surrendered five walks, four hits, and gave up four runs in four innings of work. He was greeted early, surrendering two runs and three walks in the first inning alone.
Dulles sent seven batters to plate in the first inning, coming away with a 2-0 lead. With one out, Darryn Sheppard’s single preceded three consecutive walks. The last resulting from Nick Hernandez RBI walk as Jaylen Hubbard poked a run scoring sac fly to right field.
Jersey Village battled back, trimming the score 3-2 when the Falcons matched Dulles’ first inning accomplishments by sending seven batters to plate in the bottom of the fourth inning. A hit by pitch and two errors helped its cause.
“I’m proud of the guys, to battle and get us back in it, but the knock-out blow was the home run,” said Jensen.”
Garrett Ellison was hit by a pitch, Robie Rojas reached on an error, Mikey Sliepka walked the bases loaded before Cole Frost’s RBI walk gave Jersey Village its first run. JJ Sliepka grounder to third produced another run scoring error when Rojas cross the plate, 3-2.
Later Dulles would add to its lead with Darryn Sheppard’s solo shot to left field which helped in chasing Peek from the game. And error factored in its last run.
“We made a few mistakes and Sheppard comes back and hits that home run,” Welch said.
Knocaba moved to the mound from his third base position where he settled in, giving up a single and a walk in three innings of work. The last scoring run in the fifth inning on part of Koncaba’s stint were charged to Peek, as all the rest were.
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