Orioles open season with extra-inning win over Sioux Falls Christian

Hailey Hahn throws out the pitch during play against Sioux Falls Christian. 

The Lennox High School softball team opened its 2026 season with a thrilling 12-11 extra-inning victory over Sioux Falls Christian on Thursday, April 9. Sioux Falls Christian struck first in the top of the opening inning, helping them push across the early run. Lennox answered quickly in the bottom half behind key at-bats from Abbie Wildeboer and Macy Wallenstein, who delivered an RBI single to even the score. Morgan DeHaan also contributed with a groundout RBI that helped the Orioles take a 2-1 lead after the first inning.

The second inning saw Sioux Falls Christian respond, scoring to tie the game at 2-2. Lennox was held in check briefly in the bottom half, despite solid contact from Madyson Dykstra and Jersey Zahn.

Sioux Falls Christian regained momentum in the third inning, driving in runs during a three-run frame that gave them a 6-2 lead. Lennox responded again, as Layci Eli reached on a bunt single and Teagen Sturm added an RBI hit. Wallenstein and DeHaan kept the inning alive before Hailey  Hahn delivered a key two-run double that brought Lennox within 6-5.

In the fourth inning, Sioux Falls Christian extended its lead to 8-5. Lennox answered once again, with Zahn and Eli reaching base, followed by another RBI double from Hahn that trimmed the deficit to 8-6.

The Orioles continued to battle in the fifth and sixth innings as Hahn added a triple, while Wallenstein and DeHaan continued to generate offense. Lennox eventually tied the game in the sixth at 10-10 behind clutch hits from Eli, Sturm, and Wallenstein, who drove in key runs during a late rally.

Sioux Falls Christian briefly regained the lead in the top of the seventh, scoring a run to go up 11-10. However, Lennox responded in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the inning. Hahn doubled to start the rally, Dykstra moved the runner over, and Zahn delivered a key RBI single to tie the game at 11-11, forcing extra innings.

In the eighth inning, Sioux Falls Christian was unable to capitalize, and Lennox sealed the win in walk-off fashion. Eli delivered the final blow with a game-winning double, scoring the winning run and securing a 12-11 season-opening win. 

The Orioles defeated Canton on Monday, Apr. 13, complete results in next week’s paper. There were to be at Ethan-Parktson on Tuesday, Apr. 14 and will be on the road on Friday, Apr. 17 when they take on West Central. They will be home again on Saturday, Apr. 18 against Tri-Valley. Action is set to begin at 10 a.m.