A Midweek Pitcher Steps Into the Spotlight
East Peoria’s baseball team edged Metamora 1-0 in the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinals, a victory that clinched a place in the sectional title game.
The win was anchored by Dalton Oakman, a two‑year starting quarterback who had not taken the baseball mound since junior high. He was inserted as a midweek starter and responded with a complete‑game shutout.
Oakman limited Metamora to six hits, walked two batters and struck out three, while the opposing offense was repeatedly stopped by inning‑ending double plays.
A pivotal defensive play came from Jackson Ahrens, who was spiked while making a terrific grab in the seventh inning, helping to preserve the lead.
Eli Martin provided the only run of the game with a single in the bottom of the first, driving in the decisive RBI.
The performance not only advances East Peoria to the championship but also underscores Oakman’s dual‑sport future, as he will play both football and baseball at Monmouth College next fall.