Sioux Falls, SD – The Stevens Raiders Varsity emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against the Brandon Valley Varsity Lynx on Saturday, securing a 7-6 win in an extra-inning showdown at Bowden Field (Augustana Univ.).
Stevens wasted no time getting on the board, with Allison Larson-Dike ripping a double in the top of the first to put the Raiders up early. They extended their lead in the third inning thanks to RBI singles from Larson-Dike and Kara Cox, making it 3-0.
Brandon Valley mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fourth, with Macy Lembcke blasting a two-run home run to center field, cutting the deficit to one. Lembcke then tied the game at three in the bottom of the sixth with a ground out.
The game remained knotted until the eighth inning. Josie Thompson’s sacrifice fly gave Stevens a 4-3 lead in the top half, but the Lynx answered back in the bottom of the frame when Briley Laber drew a walk, knotting the score at four.
The top of the ninth proved to be the decisive inning for Stevens. Olivia Phelps delivered a crucial single, driving in two runs, and a subsequent ground out by Cox pushed the lead to 7-4.
Lainey Van Zee earned the win for Stevens, delivering a complete game performance. She allowed seven hits and four runs (two earned) over nine innings, striking out nine and walking three. Macy Lembcke took the loss for Brandon Valley, surrendering six runs (four earned) on 11 hits over nine innings, while striking out seven and walking one.
The Raiders’ offense was potent, collecting 11 hits on the day. Addie Hock led the charge with a stellar 3-for-4 performance. Cox, Phelps, and Larson-Dike each contributed two RBIs, while Thompson and Van Zee also chipped in with multiple hits.
For the Lynx, Macy Lembcke was a force at the plate, driving in three runs. Leadoff hitter Alexa Harms also had a strong outing with two hits in five at-bats.
