INA, Ill. – Benton’s Dakota Head will take his baseball talent and strong right arm to Rend Lake College next year, signing a national letter of intent to play for the Warriors. The right-handed pitcher is the son of Chris and Tammy Head.
Head, a senior at Benton High School and a four-year starter, set the stage for his baseball career at Benton when as a freshman he picked up a big win over Harrisburg in an extra inning game in relief. He’s received All-Conference and All-South awards with a .416 batting average as both shortstop and pitcher. He also played baseball in junior high with the Southern Storm of Pinckneyville.
Dakota Head, SITTING, CENTER, signed a national letter of intent last week to play for the RLC Warriors Baseball team. Also pictured is, FRONT, FROM LEFT, his father Chris Head, Dakota Head, and his mother Tammy Head; BACK, BCHS Varsity Head Coach Brett Blondi, RLC Head Coach Tony Etnier, and BCHS Athletic Director Ryan Miller. Click on the image for a larger view.
(RLC Public Information)
“Dakota Head has played a big role in the success of the Benton Ranger baseball program for the past three years,” said Brett Blondi, Varsity Head Coach at BCHS. “He will be a tremendous addition to the Rend Lake baseball program in many ways. He is a great student, talented and hardworking baseball player, and a positive teammate. His real strength lies in his character. Dakota’s best baseball is ahead of him and we are proud that he gets an opportunity to continue his baseball career at a quality baseball program at Rend Lake College.”
The BCHS senior is active in National Honor Society, FFA, Art Club, and Pep Club, in addition to his part-time job as a maintenance worker for the Benton Community Park. As one of the top 10 students academically in his class, Head also has a number of awards to his name, including the Lion’s Club Outstanding Academic Leadership Award, the High Honor Roll, the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) Scholastic Achievement Award, and the 2014 Finalist for the Triple Impact Scholarship by Positive Coaching Alliance.
RLC Head Coach Tony Etnier said he’s looking forward to having a strong athlete – both academically and physically – on the roster for next year.
“We are excited that Dakota has decided to continue his baseball career with us here at Rend Lake College,” said Etnier. “He is a special athlete that we think has the ability to be a two-way player. He is an excellent student and an outstanding person. We think he will be a great fit here and are very happy to have him on board.”
For more information, contact Etnier at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1282. For all things athletic at the Lake, visit www.rlc.edu/warriors.
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