When Lawrence High strays from the Sunflower League, its offense seems to go astray.

Lincoln (Neb.) Southeast senior pitcher Chris Knievel tossed a six-hitter to lead the Knights to a 5-1 nonleague baseball victory over the Lions on Saturday at Ice Field.

The Lions, ranked No. 4 in Class 6A, have lost four of their last five (all to nonleague foes) to dip to 5-5 overall.

“We get more out of playing a team like this,” LHS coach David Petry said. “Everybody we’ve played outside the league has been quality competition. That’s why we’re doing it, to make us better and get us ready for regionals.”

Southeast, 9-2 and ranked No. 6 in Class A in Nebraska (the state has one class for high school baseball), dominated the two Lawrence schools on Saturday. The Knights, a state semifinalist last spring, thumped Free State, 12-4, at FSHS, before heading south to play the Lions after a one-hour break.

The Knights, who packed 18 players in two vans for their three-hour trip, never trailed during their visit to Lawrence. Against the Lions, Southeast scored one run in the top of the first and took the lead for good with a run in the top of the fourth.

LHS, which has lost four games in the past eight days, has been outscored 8-2 in its last two games.

“Offensively, it’s been tough,” Petry said. “We’ve scored two runs in the last 14 innings. You’re not going to win in the Sunflower League or (against) teams like Lincoln when you score one run.”

Knievel, no relation to daredevil Evel, struck out five Lions and surrendered no walks. The Knights’ No. 2 pitcher retired the final seven batters.

Lawrence’s lone run came in the bottom of the first. With one out, senior center fielder Rob Scott and senior designated hitter Troy Wingert had infield singles. Junior third baseman Tommy Mangino popped a single to right field to score Scott.

“We’re hitting the ball well, but they’re just at people,” said Scott, who went 2-for-3 with a double and stolen base. “We’ve got to keep hitting the ball hard and sooner or later it will fall.”

LHS stranded four runners, leaving two at second base and one at third.

“We had a couple of opportunities where base hits score someone,” Petry said. “We’ve got runners in scoring position, but we’re not getting the hit to get them in or the ground ball to the right side to move them.”

Southeast had eight hits. Senior third baseman Alex Gordon, a Nebraska University baseball signee, went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

“He’s a big-time player,” Southeast coach Randy Brolhorst said of Gordon.

Southeast first baseman Brian Knippelmeyer and also had two hits, including a double. Knippelmeyer was the winning pitcher against Free State.

Against the two Lawrence schools, Southeast’s pitchers surrendered just two walks and the defense committed no errors.

“That’s been our forte,” Brolhorst said. “We don’t walk many people. We think defensively we’re pretty solid. If we can get a lot of ground balls, we’ll be pretty good.”

LHS is scheduled to play four games this week. The Lions will play host to Olathe East in a league game at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday before playing three out-of-state schools at the River City Festival over the weekend at Ice Field. LHS will play St. Louis Parkway South at 8 p.m. Thursday, Omaha (Neb.) Creighton Prep at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Belton, Mo., at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Lincoln (Neb.) Southeast 5, Lawrence 1

Lincoln Southeast (9-2) 100 121 0Â5 8 0

Lawrence (5-5) 100 000 0Â1 6 2

WP Â Chris Knievel, 2-0. LP Â Ryan Rowland, 1-2.

2B Â SE: Matt Coatman; Jeff Christy; Brian Knippelmeyer; LHS: Rob Scott.

LHS highlights  Scott, 2-for-3, 2B, SB.

 Sports writer Steve Rottinghaus can be reached at 832-7152.