The Silver Lake Eagles are one victory away from capturing their first state baseball championship since 2011 following a dramatic 2-1 extra-inning win over Russell/Victoria in the Class 3A state semifinals Wednesday in Manhattan.

Silver Lake prevailed in eight innings behind a dominant pitching performance from Dayne Johnson and timely late-game execution.

Johnson took the mound for the Eagles opposite Russell/Victoria starter Sam Thielen, and the two pitchers controlled the game from the outset. The teams combined for just one hit through the first three innings, a first-inning single by Johnson.

Silver Lake broke through in the fourth inning when Miles Kibbee delivered an RBI double to score Drew Womack, who reached base on an error to begin the inning.

Russell/Victoria, which entered the game with a 23-5 record, managed just one hit through the first six innings but tied the game in the sixth without recording a hit in the frame. Jaxon Ross drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Thielen to even the score at 1-1.

Both teams were retired in order in the seventh inning, sending the semifinal matchup into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Kipton Kruger sparked the Eagles with a one-out triple before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kibbee to give Silver Lake a 2-1 advantage. Johnson then retired the Broncos in order in the bottom half of the inning to secure the victory.

Johnson earned the complete-game win, allowing just one hit and one run across eight innings while striking out six and issuing only one walk. Thielen also turned in a strong outing for Russell/Victoria, surrendering three hits and one unearned run over seven innings with six strikeouts.

Silver Lake will face Girard in the Class 3A State Championship game Friday at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan. Girard will be making its first appearance in a state baseball title game in program history. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Live play-by-play coverage will be available on 96.9 The Pulse.