It’s a day Patoka School won’t soon forget.
For the first time in school history, both the Patoka Mohawks baseball and softball teams have qualified for the SIJHSAA State Tournament in the same year — and today, both teams will take the field with a chance to advance to the state championship game.
The SIJHSAA State Baseball and Softball Tournaments continue today at the Oasis Sports Complex in Marion, with semifinal action in all three classes.
Patoka’s softball team will get things started in Class S at 2:30 this afternoon, taking on New Hope. The winner advances to Thursday’s state championship game. The other Class S semifinal pits Willow Grove/St. Mary and St. John’s Lutheran against each other at 4:30.
Then at 3:30, the Patoka baseball team takes the field, facing St. Joe Olney in the Class S semifinals. New Simpson Hill and Valmeyer will meet in the other semifinal at 1 p.m.
Both Patoka teams have already won their opening-round games, putting them just one victory away from playing for a state championship.
It’s an historic opportunity for the Mohawks — two teams, two state semifinal games, and one very big day for Patoka.
In Class L softball, Central West Frankfort faces Harrisburg, while Murphysboro takes on Carterville. Class L baseball has Carterville against Millstadt and Wesclin facing DuQuoin.
In Class M softball, Nashville meets Anna, while Woodlawn takes on Steeleville at 5 p.m. In Class M baseball, Goreville plays Smithton and Okawville faces Pinckneyville.
But for Patoka, all eyes will be on the Oasis Sports Complex today, as the Mohawks look to turn a historic trip to the state tournament into a trip to the state championship game.
