Orioles advance to State, fall short of title

The Lennox High School baseball team punched its ticket to the 2026 SDHSBA Class B State Tournament after a pair of impressive victories in the Metro Super Regional Playoffs on Tuesday, May 19.

The Orioles opened the day with a 13-3 win over Baltic before defeating Dell Rapids, 7-4, in the championship game to earn a berth in the state tournament, which was held in Brookings on Monday, May 25, and Tuesday, May 26.

At the State Tournament, Lennox faced off against Dakota Valley in the opening round on Monday, May 25, and despite a come-from-behind effort, the Orioles lost to Dakota Valley, 4-3, ending their State Tournament run. 

Dakota Valley struck first in the top of the opening inning after Sterling Schauff delivered an RBI double to score Grady Ramos and give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

Lennox answered in the bottom of the third inning. Jaxson Bittner drew a walk and later scored on a Talen Eich RBI double to left field, tying the game at 1-1.

The Panthers regained the lead in the fourth inning when Vincent Hoffman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Dakota Valley added two more runs in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Schauff and an RBI double from Jack Wiese to extend the advantage to 4-1.

The Orioles rallied in the sixth inning to pull within one run. Gabe Veurink opened the inning with a single before Eich reached on an intentional walk. Cole Spieler followed with a single to load the bases, and Mason Reischl delivered a two-run single to center field, scoring Veurink and Eich to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Lennox threatened again in the bottom of the seventh inning. Justin Butler singled to lead off the frame and moved to third following a sacrifice bunt by Bittner and a fly out from Veurink. However, Dakota Valley recorded the final out on a ground ball to end the game.

Reischl led the Orioles offensively with two hits and two RBIs. Eich added a double and an RBI, while Butler, Veurink, Spieler and Cade Aasheim each recorded hits.

On the mound, Reischl pitched strong innings, striking out seven Dakota Valley batters and keeping Lennox within striking distance throughout the contest. 

The loss to Dakota Valley, ended the Orioles’ season. 

The Orioles’ road to State saw them defeating Baltic, 13-3 in Regional playoff action on May 19. Lennox found itself trailing 3-0 after the Bulldogs scored three runs in the top of the third inning, but the Orioles responded in dominant fashion.

The breakthrough came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Lennox exploded for seven runs. Justin Butler started the rally with a single, and Jaxson Bittner followed with a walk. Gabe Veurink then singled to load the bases.

After Butler scored on a wild pitch, Talen Eich drew a walk to reload the bases. Cole Spieler delivered the biggest hit of the inning, lacing a three-run double to center field to give Lennox a 4-3 lead. Spieler later stole home, and additional runs scored on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Butler, putting the Orioles ahead 7-3.

Lennox added six more runs in the sixth inning to end the game by the 10-run rule. Gabe Veurink doubled to start the frame, and the Orioles capitalized on a series of walks, wild pitches, and aggressive baserunning. Cade Aasheim, Justin Butler, and Jaxson Bittner each drew bases-loaded walks, while Ace Reilly contributed a sacrifice fly.

Cole Spieler earned the win on the mound, striking out six batters over 5-2/3 innings while allowing three runs. Sam Bambas recorded the final out.

At the plate, Spieler led the Orioles by going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Gabe Veurink added two hits, including a double. Also recording two hits Eich, Aasheim, and Butler. 

Fast Start Propels Lennox Past Dell Rapids, 7-4

The Orioles wasted no time in the regional championship game, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning.

Bittner drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored along with Gabe Veurink when Talen Eich ripped a two-run double to left field. Cole Spieler followed with a single, and Mason Reischl added a two-run single to give Lennox an early 4-0 advantage.

Lennox extended the lead to 5-1 in the third inning when Cade Aasheim singled home courtesy runner Preston Otte.

After several scoreless innings, the Orioles added two critical insurance runs in the seventh. Cole Spieler scored on a wild pitch, and Bittner drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run, making it 7-1.

Dell Rapids mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs and bringing the tying run to the plate. Gauge Bunkers and Carson Maeschen each doubled during the comeback attempt, but Talen Eich came on in relief and struck out Lincoln Lebrun looking to secure the victory.

Mason Reischl was outstanding on the mound, pitching 6-/3 innings and striking out seven batters. Eich recorded the final two outs to earn the save.

Offensively, Eich paced the Orioles with a two-run double in the first inning. Reischl collected three hits and two RBIs, and Veurink and Spieler each added two hits.