By Tyler Peterson
The Lenox Tiger athletes are back doing their thing in the Black and Gold- This time on the softball and baseball diamonds for the 2026 summer sports season. The softball team has 17 girls out this summer, and the baseball team will compete with 20 members.
The softball girls kicked off their ‘26 campaign with a trio of games this past week against Stanton, Wayne of Corydon, and Martensdale- St. Mary’s. Wednesday the 27th the Tigers took down Stanton 24-5 in four innings. The Tigers scored three in the first, eight in the second, nine in the third, and four in the four to close out the Viqueens early. The 24 runs came on 14 hits, and the Tigers committed just one error in the season debut. Senior Piper Brokaw led the way for Lenox at the plate finishing with three doubles, a single, and six RBI- Junior Avvy Curtis had two hits, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and one RBI- Other hits came from senior Jaelynn Christensen, sophomore McKinzie Menefee, sophomore Reese Reed, sophomore Jesa Christensen, sophomore Laney Stoaks, freshman Gracie Brokaw, and 8th grader Kinsley Rice. Jaelynn and McKinzie also stole two bases each. In the circle Reese Reed started and struck out four; 8th grader Lilli Caldwell came in relief and also got the save striking out four as well.
Thursday the 28th the Tigers took on #9 rated Wayne Falcons. The Tigers scored one run, on two hits, and committed three errors in the 1-11 loss. Jaelynn Christensen had one hit, and one run scored; Laney Stoaks had one hit and one RBI. Reese Reed and Lilli Caldwell each had work in the circle striking out one each.
Friday the 29th Lenox was in action against another ranked opponent: #12 Martensdale-St. Mary’s. The Tigers had two runs on six hits and committed four errors, and battled well into the 5th inning before falling to the Blue Devils by a final score of 2-13. Jaelynn Christensen extended her hitting streak to three games finishing the night with two singles and one RBI. McKinzie Menefee, Reese Reed, Jesa Christensen, and Gracie Brokaw all had hits as well. Reese Reed and Lilli Caldwell were back in the circle striking out two each.
On the baseball diamond to start 2026 the boys played a pair of double-headers against St. Albert of Council Bluffs and Coon Rapids-Bayard, and a Pride of Iowa Conference matchup vs. Wayne of Corydon.
Lenox took game one of the season, and game one of the double-header at home against St. Albert 2-1. Lenox had the two runs on an unusual no hit performance and committed two errors in the unorthodox ‘W.’ Senior Laramie Stoaks finished with two walks and one run scored, and sophomore Jackson Reed walked once and scored a run. Laramie Stoaks got the win on the mound striking out six, and senior Dawson Evans got the save.
Lenox lost game two by a final score of 12-1.
Laramie Stoaks singles to center field in the 3rd inning of the Tigers’ second game against Coon Rapids-Bayard Friday night. (photo by Meg Baker)
Jack Reed executes a sac bunt for an RBI that tied the score, 1-1, in the first inning of the second game of the Tigers’ double-header against Coon Rapids-Bayard.(photo by Meg Baker)
Dawson Evans throws to first to get the 2nd out of the 4th inning in the Tigers’ first game against Coon Rapids-Bayard Friday night. (photo by Meg Baker)