2023 State Tournament held July 28-Aug 1 in Redfield
On Tuesday, July 18 the Lennox Post 174 Sr. Legion team took on Elk Point Jefferson in the double-elimination Region 3B Tournament. Lennox needed a win to claim the Championship title and EPJ needed a win to force a re-match.
With EPJ scoring three runs in the first and another two in the second, it was an uphill battle for Lennox as they were unable to get the win, falling 6-3.
A walk by Lance Spieler put Lennox on the board in the top of the first.
In the bottom of the first inning, EPJ took the lead after Keaton Gale doubled, Ben Swatek doubled, and Kayden Moore singled, each scoring one run.
EPJ added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Lennox committed an error, and Tayson Swatek doubled, allowing two runs to score.
Isaac Bambas handled pitching duties for Lennox. He gave up 12 hits and six runs (five earned) over six innings, striking out four and walking two.
Conner Eich went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Lennox in hits. Talen Eich, Andrew Daugherty, and Spieler each drove in one run for Lennox. Landon Atkins led Lennox with three walks.
Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, collecting seven walks for the game.
With the win by EPJ, the two teams were forced into a winner-take-all game on Wednesday, July 19. The winner would claim the Region 3B title and advance to the State Championship to be held in Redfield.
Even though Lennox collected eight hits to EPJ’s six, Lennox still fell 5-2, ending their strong season.
Lennox got on the board in the first inning after Bambas grounded out, scoring one run.
Kayden Moore singled on the sixth pitch of the at-bat, which helped EPJ tie the game at one in the top of the second.
EPJ jumped into the lead in the top of the third inning after Keaton Gale doubled, Tayson Swatek hit into a fielder’s choice, and Jordan Anderson walked, each scoring one run.
Lennox scored one more run in the bottom of the seventh but was unable to launch a come-back.
Braxton Musser handled pitching duties for the Lennox Legion. He surrendered six hits and five runs (three earned) over seven innings, striking out three and walking one.
Daugherty and Bambas were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Lennox. Ethan Larson stole two bases.
The 2023 State B Senior Legion baseball tournament will be held in Redfield, July 28 through Aug. 1.
The first-round pairings of those teams that have emerged victorious from their respective Regional Tournaments and the schedule for games in this five day, eight-team, double elimination State Tournament is as follows:
Game 1 — Dell Rapids Post 65 vs. Platte/Geddes Post 115, 10am; Game 2 — Castlewood/Clear Lake Post 250 vs. Clark/Willow Lake Post 60, 30 minutes after Game 1; Game 3 — Tabor Post 183 vs. Salem/Montrose/Canova Post 140, 5pm; Game 4 — Elk Point Jefferson Post 134 vs. Redfield Post 92, 30 minutes after Game 3. Those match-ups will be played Friday, July 28 with the second round beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 29. Play continues into Sunday, July 30, Monday, July 31 and Tuesday, Aug. 1.
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