LHS softball team punches ticket to State

The Lennox High School softball team is headed to the Class A State Softball Tournament after a dominant 10-0 victory over Milbank in a SoDak 16 match-up on Tuesday, May 26.

With the win, Lennox improved to 8-4 on the season, one of the best records in program history, and punched their ticket to State.  

“An 8-4 season is something to be proud of and something these girls have earned through their hard work, the time they dedicate to practice, and believing in each other from day one,” said LHS head coach Lindsay Nicola.      

The Orioles will enter the Class A State Tournament as the No. 7 seed and will face No. 2 seed Tri-Valley in the opening round on Thursday, June 4, at 2 p.m. in Aberdeen. The winner will advance to a semifinal contest at 4 p.m. on June 5, while the state championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. on June 6.

“Going into the state tournament the 7th seed means people may overlook us, but our team embraces that underdog role. We know the competition at the state tournament will be tough, but we also know what we’re capable of when we play together, stay confident and compete with energy,” said Nicola. “Our expectation is to go up to Aberdeen, represent our program the right way, prove we belong with the best teams in the state, and put on a good show!”

In the SoDak 16 match-up, the Orioles wasted little time taking control against the Bulldogs.

After retiring Milbank in the top of the first, Lennox struck first when pitcher Layci Eli led off the bottom of the inning with a triple. Following a walk by Hailey Seelen, Hayley Hahn delivered a two-run double to center field to score both runners and give the Orioles an early 2-0 advantage.

Lennox added another run in the second inning. Morgan DeHaan opened the frame with a triple and later scored on a fielder’s choice by Eli to push the lead to 3-0.

The Orioles broke the game open in the third. Jersey Zahn started the rally with a single before Lauren Anacker and Madyson Dykstra drew walks to load the bases. Eli then came through with a two-run single to right field, scoring Anacker and courtesy runner Nika Rasmussen to extend the lead to 5-0.

Lennox continued to add insurance in the fourth inning. Singles by Teagen Sturm and Zahn set the stage before a Milbank error allowed two runs to score. DeHaan followed with an RBI single to plate Dykstra as the Orioles stretched the lead to 8-0.

The Orioles added another run in the fifth when Peyten Wright scored on a sacrifice fly by Anacker, making it 9-0.

Lennox sealed the victory in the sixth inning. Dykstra opened the inning with a single and later came around as the Orioles loaded the bases. Morgan DeHaan scored on a passed ball before another passed ball allowed Abbie Wildeboer to cross the plate for the game’s final run and a 10-0 lead, ending the contest via the mercy rule.

Eli was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just four hits. She struck out seven Milbank batters and did not allow a run as the Orioles’ defense backed her up with several key plays, including a fourth-inning double play.

Offensively, Lennox collected 13 hits. Eli finished with a triple, single and three RBIs, while DeHaan contributed a triple, single and two runs scored. Hahn added a double and two RBIs, while Zahn, Sturm, Dykstra, Wright and Wildeboer all recorded hits in the victory.