1A Dakota Sectional
When: Wednesday, Saturday
Where: Dakota High School
Teams: Amboy, Hiawatha, Milledgeville, Orangeville
Players to watch: Lauren Akre, Amboy; Cassey Doege, Amboy; Abby Turner, Hiawatha; Emily Bush, Milledgeville; Courtney Swalve, Milledgeville; Sammantha Buss, Orangeville
Outlook: It's hard to bet against Emily Bush and Milledgeville. The Missiles' dominating pitcher took her team to a third-place finish at state a year ago, and they could be headed back. Milledgeville has won three straight regionals and two straight sectionals. Amboy has won three straight regionals and might be the second-best team here. Orangeville has won five regionals in 7 years but is inexperienced. Milledgeville swept Orangeville 3-2, 2-0 in a doubleheader April 8 without Bush, who was injured at the time. Hiawatha won its first regional title since 2008.
Favorite: Milledgeville
Dark horse: Amboy
SVM prediction: Milledgeville
Advancement: Winner to DeKalb Supersectional vs. Midland Sectional winner, 11 a.m. Monday
