The Panther 16U baseball team was in Vermillion on August 9-11. As state qualifiers the roster and coaches were looking to close out the 2024 summer season with a sweep of wins. Dakota Valley had an incredible run at the tournament and were 1 of 8 regional qualifiers along with: West Central, Mobridge, Dell Rapids, Flandreau, Tri-Valley, Madison and Vermillion.

A new format for regional play in the 16U division for South Dakota VFW had Dakota Valley winning twice on Wednesday, July 28 and advancing to state. The Panthers had to win 2 out of 3 games versus their regional opponent in order to be a state qualifier. And they did just that in swift fashion.

Dakota Valley Athletic Director Bill Clements ran the 2024 fall sports meeting on Monday, August 5 in the school’s high school gym. He spoke to a large crowd about the upcoming autumn sports season.

Strong play by the Elk Point-Jefferson senior baseball squad had them off to a great start in the American Legion Region 3B tournament on July 24-26. Games took place in Lennox and it was a double elimination format. In the 1st round, the Huskies faced rival Dakota Valley on Wednesday, July 24. By grabbing an early lead, EPJ looked to be cruising towards a sure victory. They were up 4-0 after 3 innings of play. However, DV captured 5 runs in the 4th and 5th to make it a close one.

The Panther 14U legion baseball team completed an incredible run in regionals and state bracket play to be crowned the 14U Class A State Champions for 2024. The state tournament was held in Beresford and Dakota Valley went undefeated in 3 straight games, on July 26-28, to bring home the title.

The Panther’s summer baseball squad ended their season with 2 losses in the American Legion Region 3B tournament, in Lennox, on July 24 and July 25. Dakota Valley faced Elk Point-Jefferson on Wednesday, July 24 and fell 5-7. They took on Tea Post 266 TinCaps the next day and were defeated 4-11.

The Elk Point-Jefferson 14U Legion baseball roster was in Beresford on July 26-28 for the state tournament. The Huskies were region champs and took that momentum with them for their 1st game, in bracket play, against Wagner on Friday, July 26.

It was a full week of baseball for the Dakota Valley Legion team from Monday, July 15 to Saturday, July 20. They played 5 games and dropped only 1 contest.

Dakota Valley 16U took 1st place over the weekend of July 13 in the Brookings Buffalo Wild Wings tournament. The quad played some great baseball against teams from South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota.