LHS softball team defeats Baltic, Dell Rapids

At right: Layci Eli throws out the pitch in the Orioles’ match-up against Dells.

The Lennox High School Orioles softball team continued its strong spring season with a pair of dominant victories last week, defeating Baltic Bulldogs 11-1 on Tuesday, May 5, and Dell Rapids Quarriers 12-1 on Thursday, May 7.

Lennox used a big second inning and a balanced offensive attack to roll past Baltic in six innings.

The Orioles got on the board in the first inning when Layci Eli doubled to open the game and later scored on a groundout by Abbie Wildeboer.

Lennox broke the game open in the second inning. Eli highlighted the frame with an inside-the-park three-run home run, while Macy Wallenstein followed with a solo homer to give the Orioles a 5-0 lead.

Baltic scored its lone run in the top of the third, but Lennox answered with two more runs in the fourth. Peyten Wright doubled, and Wallenstein delivered a two-run single to push the advantage to 7-1.

The Orioles added four more runs in the sixth inning to end the game by the 10-run rule. Wright led off with another double, Eli added a bunt single, and Wallenstein reached on an error that brought home two runs. Jersey Zahn doubled, Teagen Sturm drove in a run with a groundout, and Hayley Hahn capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Wallenstein led the Orioles at the plate with five RBIs, including a home run and two singles. Eli collected three hits, including a double and an inside-the-park home run, and drove in three runs. Wright had two doubles, while Zahn added a double and an RBI.

In the circle, Eli was dominant, striking out seven batters while allowing one unearned run.

The Orioles stayed hot two days later, scoring in each of the first four innings to defeat Dell Rapids in five innings.

Lennox took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Wallenstein walked and later scored on a passed ball, while Hahn drove in two runs with a double to center field.

The Orioles erupted for four more runs in the second inning. Eli doubled and scored on a Wallenstein single, Zahn doubled, and Sturm followed with a two-run double. Morgan DeHaan added an RBI single to make it 7-0.

Dell Rapids scored its only run in the third inning, but Lennox responded with three runs in the bottom half. Eli, Wallenstein, Zahn and Sturm each had RBI singles as the Orioles extended their lead to 10-1.

Lennox ended the game in the fourth inning when Eli delivered a two-run double to score Madyson Dykstra and Wildeboer.

Eli led the offense with three hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs. Wallenstein had two hits and two RBIs. Sturm contributed two hits and three RBIs, while Zahn added three hits and an RBI. Hahn chipped in a two-run double, and DeHaan added an RBI single.

Eli also earned the win in the circle, striking out five batters and allowing just one run.

The Orioles were scheduled to host Dakota Valley Panthers on Tuesday, May 12, and will travel to face Madison Bulldogs on Monday, May 18.