Lennox 14U Legion claims Region 6B championship, advances to State Tournament this weekend

The Lennox 14U American Legion baseball team is headed to the state tournament after capturing the Region 6B Championship with three convincing victories during the regional tournament held July 13-15 in Emery.

Lennox opened tournament play on Monday with a 17-7 win over Canova before defeating the Trojans 17-1 on Tuesday. The team completed its championship run Wednesday by defeating Canova 13-7 to earn the Region 6B title and secure a berth in the 2026 Class “B” 14U American Legion State Baseball Tournament. The state tournament will be held July 24-26 at Prentis Park Baseball Field in Vermillion.

Lennox 17, Canova 7

Lennox overcame an early 7-2 deficit in its opening game, erupting for five runs in the second inning and three more in the third to take a 10-7 lead before putting the game away with a seven-run fifth inning.

 Veurink, Ace Reilly, Griffin Eich, Carson Eden and Kooper Plimpton all collected multiple hits in the victory. Reilly finished with four hits, including a double, while Eich added three hits and a double. Plimpton highlighted the offense with a two-run home run and also drove in three runs.

On the mound, Carson Eden earned the win, striking out five batters over 3-2/3 innings before Maverick Mellegard closed out the game with a strike out in relief.

Lennox 17, Trojans 1

The Lennox offense stayed hot in Tuesday’s semifinal, scoring 10 runs in the opening inning and never looking back in a 17-1 victory.

Grant Veurink collected two hits and two RBIs, while Ace Reilly finished with two hits, including a home run, and drove in five runs. Kooper Plimpton added a double and three RBIs, and Carson Eden contributed an RBI. Evan Crichton also recorded two hits and an RBI.

Reid Larson started on the mound and struck out three batters in one inning before Maverick Mellegard tossed the final three innings, allowing one run while striking out three more.

Lennox 13, Canova 7

Facing Canova once again in the championship game, Lennox jumped out to a 4-0 first-inning lead before holding off several Canova rallies.

The game was tied 4-4 after two innings, but Lennox regained control with two runs in the third and broke the contest open with a seven-run sixth inning.

Grant Veurink had another standout performance, finishing with four hits, including a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Carson Eden collected four hits, while Kooper Plimpton added two hits and one RBI. Griffin Hale and Ben Hanson each contributed RBI singles during the decisive sixth inning.

Reid Larson earned the victory on the mound, striking out ten batters over five innings. Griffin Eich pitched the final inning to secure the championship, striking out two. 

With the regional championship, Lennox advances to the 2026 Class “B” 14U American Legion State Baseball Championship Tournament, scheduled for July 24-26 in Vermillion, where the team will compete for a state title.