Lennox takes second at Clark Tournament; Spieler throws no-hitter

Lennox Post 174 Senior Legion took home second place at the Clark Rotary Senior Legion Baseball Tournament held July 10–12. Over the three-day span, Lennox collected wins over Salem and Hankinson-Lidgerwood before falling to Dell Rapids Post 65 in the title game. The highlight of the weekend came on Friday, when pitcher Cole Spieler threw a complete-game no-hitter.

Thursday, July 10: Lennox 7, Salem Cubs 4

Lennox started off strong with key hits from Jackson Anacker, who doubled and later added a single and walk, helping set the tone for the offense. Spieler contributed with an RBI single in the fifth inning, giving Lennox a 2-1 lead.

Dayne Moeller added to the offense with a double and RBI single, while Nate Haar delivered a crucial RBI double in the fifth. Griffen Boomgarden’s RBI single in the fourth tied the game, and Lennox never trailed again.

On the mound, Emory Lefers struck out eight batters over six innings and allowed only four runs—two of which came late in the game. Spieler came in to close out the final inning, collecting a strikeout to seal the victory.

Lennox padded their lead in the sixth inning, scoring four runs thanks to clutch hitting from the bottom of the lineup. The defensive highlight came in the third, when catcher Mason Reischl caught a would-be base stealer at third, cutting down a potential rally from Salem.

Salem attempted a late comeback in the seventh, scoring three runs, but Lennox held firm to start the tournament on a high note.

Friday, July 11: Lennox 3, Hankinson-Lidgerwood 0

Spieler was locked in from the first pitch on Friday, throwing a complete-game no-hitter while striking out nine batters. Lennox gave him early run support, scoring two runs in the top of the first and tacking on one more in the seventh.

In the top of the first, Anacker walked and Talen Eich was hit by a pitch. After a passed ball moved both runners into scoring position, Spieler helped his own cause by ripping a two-RBI single to center field, scoring both Anacker and Eich. Lennox nearly added more, but Moeller and Haar both flew out to center to end the inning.

Spieler then took the mound and made quick work of Hankinson-Lidgerwood. After a groundout by their first batter, he struck out the next two to close the first inning.

The game stayed tight as Lennox’s offense stalled in the middle innings. Reischl and Lefers struck out in the second, though Gabe Veurink was hit by a pitch. In the third, Anacker walked again, and Eich reached on a fielder’s choice, but a flyout and lineout ended the threat.

On the defensive side, Spieler stayed sharp. Despite walking three batters between the third and fourth innings, he worked out of jams and even started a lineout double play in the fourth, catching a liner and tagging the runner at first.

In the top of the seventh, Veurink led off with a single, advancing to second on a pickoff error and then to third on a wild pitch. Anacker followed with an RBI single to left, bringing in Veurink to make it 3-0. Lennox threatened again after Eich reached on an error, but the inning ended on a groundout by Spieler.

Back on the mound for the final inning, Spieler shut the door. He struck out the first batter, induced a popout and got the next batter to fly out to shortstop to complete the no-hitter.

Saturday, July 12: Dell Rapids 10, Lennox 2

Lennox looked poised early in the title game but couldn’t keep up with Dell Rapids Post 65’s offensive surge, falling 10-2 in the championship.

In the top of the first, Lennox loaded the bases with one out on a walk and two hit batters, but Dell Rapids pitcher worked out of the jam by striking out the next two batters. In the bottom half, Dell Rapids jumped out quickly: a leadoff single, two walks, and a two-RBI double from C. Hanson gave them a 2-0 lead. A sacrifice bunt brought in another, and they led 3-0 after one inning.

Lennox got one run back in the fifth. Jaxon Bittner reached on an error and moved to third on a wild pitch. After another walk and a flyout, Spieler grounded out to score Bittner. Moeller then reached on an error, scoring Anacker, to bring the score to 3-2. Haar followed with a double, but Lennox couldn’t bring the tying run across.

In the bottom of the fifth, things unraveled for Lennox. Dell Rapids sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring seven runs on a combination of walks, hit batters, singles, wild pitches, and a costly double play that plated a run. Despite multiple pitching changes, Lennox couldn’t stop the momentum, and Dell Rapids pulled away for good.

Spieler and Anacker each reached base multiple times for Lennox, and Haar added a double.

Lennox is schedule for a home match-up on Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. against Post 1.