Lennox defeats Vermillion, falls to SFC

There were runs aplenty on Tuesday, Apr. 8 as the Lennox High School girls’ softball team outsted Vermillion 12-10. Lennox collected nine hits, while Vermillion had 13.

Lennox came back to win despite trailing 10-6 in the sixth.

Lennox was the first to get on the board in the first when Ahleeya Nicola homered to right field, scoring two runs (pictured at right).

Lennox added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Madyson Dykstra tripled to right field, Aleeah Oltmanns grounded out, and Taylor Ragle singled to left field, each scoring one run.

The Orioles added one run in the third after Jersey Zahn grounded out.

Vermillion flipped the game on its head in the top of the sixth, scoring six runs on three hits to take the lead, 10-6. The biggest blow in the inning was a home run to center field by Madigan Wallin that drove in two.

But then, Lennox flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the sixth, scoring six runs on one hit to take the lead, 12-10. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Layci Eli that drove in three.

Hayley Hahn pitched four and two-thirds innings in relief for Lennox. The hurler surrendered eight hits and six runs (two earned) while, striking out eight and walking one. Eli led things off in the circle for Lennox. The pitcher surrendered five hits and four runs over two and one-third innings, striking out three and walking two. Mya Halverson began the game for Vermillion. The hurler surrendered eight hits and 10 runs over five and one-third innings, striking out seven and walking five.

Eli provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Lennox with three runs batted in. The pitcher went 2-for-4 on the day. Dykstra, Eli, and Nicola each collected two hits for Lennox. Hailey Seelen led the Orioles with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting six walks for the game. Hahn stole two bases. Lennox stole six bases in the game.

Lennox hosted Sioux Falls Christian on Thursday, Apr. 10. Both teams were strong in the circle on Thursday, but Sioux Falls Christian was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3-1 victory over Lennox. Hayley Hahn started the game for Lennox and recorded 10 outs.

Sioux Falls Christian got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Dehlia Blanchard singled to the right side of the infield, and Kate Preheim tripled down the right field line, each scoring one run.

Hahn led things off in the circle for the Orioles. The hurler gave up six hits and two runs over three and one-third innings, striking out two and walking two. Sammie Van Santen led things off in the circle for Sioux Falls Christian. The starting pitcher gave up two hits and one run over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking two.

Ahleeya Nicola and Layci Eli were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected one hit for Lennox while hitting back-to-back. Eli went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.

Lennox was scheduled to host Ethan-Parkston on Tuesday, Apr. 15 and will be at Beresford on Tuesday, Apr. 29.