Wayne ousts Lenox for trip to state

A five-run sixth inning boosted Wayne to a 9-1 victory over Lenox on Monday and into the Class 1A State Tournament.

Wayne starts the state tournament Monday in Fort Dodge.

Wayne pitcher Sterling Berndt was against Lenox pitcher TJ Stoaks as both lead the state in strikeouts leaders. Berndt struck out five of the first six Lenox batters she faced. She finished with 14 strikeouts, four hits and just one walk.

The Falcons scored three runs in the first inning, two of which came from a two-RBI hit from Abigayle Henderson. Another run in the second was an RBI from Emily Jones to extend the lead to 4-0 through two innings.

Lenox had chances with runners on the bases but it was not until senior McKinna Hogan in the sixth inning with a solo home run to make the score 4-1

Berndt sat down the next three batters for her 11th and 12th strikeouts of the game.

Wayne put the game out of reach for Lenox with five runs in the sixth inning including a three-run shot from Jones to give Wayne a 9-1 lead.

Jones had three hits and four RBI in the win while Henderson sent four runs across on two hits.

Other than Hogan’s home run, Lenox (29-7) got hits from Zoey Reed, Caitlyn Maynes and Dayna Robinson. Stoaks finished with five strike outs, walked seven, gave up 12 hits.

Wayne (23-4) advances to a Class 1A State Quarterfinal on Monday against an opponent yet to be determined. Regardless of the opponent, the 1A No. 2 Falcons hope to get over the hump, which starts by winning their first game.

Lenox earned the right to play Wayne after beating Lamoni in a tight 1-0 affair on Friday. Stoaks was 2-3 at the plate with a double, triple and the RBI. Emiliee Reed reached base by error in the fifth and was sent home because of Stoaks’ triple.

Zoey Reed was also 2-3 with a double

Stoaks allowed one hit off the bat of Taylor Hensen and struck out 16 batters.