Lawrence High pitcher Ryan Rowland had an easier time getting past nationally-ranked Creighton (Neb.) Prep’s batters than he did getting by well-wishers as he tried to walk off Ice Field after the game.

The junior pitcher couldn’t take more than a few steps without receiving congratulations from young and old after he tossed a complete-game three-hitter  including seven strikeouts  as the Lions topped the Bluejays, 2-0, on Friday in the River City Festival. Creighton Prep (17-2) was ranked 28th nationally.

“Ryan pitched a great game,” LHS coach David Petry said. “He was hitting his spots and all night he was working the batters and stayed a step ahead of them.”

Rowland gave up a leadoff double to Prep’s Eric Eymann in the second inning, and Eymann advanced to third on a groundout by Jeff Daneff. With a runner on third and just one out, Rowland promptly struck out the next two batters.

Prep had another chance to score in the third inning when it had runners on second and third with one out, but Rowland struck out Tyler Mullen, walked Brian Bull and got Eyemann to fly out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

“They left some runners on third base, and that’s really a credit to Ryan,” Petry said. “He didn’t allow them to score, and that’s really something.

“They came in with a 17-1 record and from what we heard they were on a different level than the rest of the teams in Nebraska. We gained a lot of confidence by beating them.”

The Lions let some chances slip by early, too. Lawrence had runners on third base in the first and second innings, but couldn’t muster any offense with runners in scoring position.

Lawrence finally scored when third baseman Tommy Mangino doubled to center field with two outs in the third inning to plate Paul Houle from third base.

“We had some run opportunities, but unfortunately in the first couple of innings we couldn’t get any across,” Petry said. “But I felt good because we were getting guys on base and putting pressure on their defense. I thought if we kept doing that we would be in a good position to win.”

Mangino, who was 2-for-3, scored the final run in the sixth when he came home on senior Andy Flory’s sacrifice bunt.

Lawrence will play Belton (Mo.) High at 5:30 p.m. today at Ice Field.

Lawrence 2, Creighton Prep 0

Creighton Prep 000 000 0 Â 0 3 0

Lawrence 001 001 x  2 5 0

WPÂRyan Rowland.

LHS highlights: Tommy Mangino 2-for-3, 2B, RBI; Troy Wingert 2-for-3; Rowland CG, 7K, 3 hits.

St. Louis Parkway South 13, Free State 3

Parkway South scored 11 runs in the third inning and cruised to victory in a game called after five innings because of the mercy rule on Friday night at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark.

“We had a few miscues, pitched behind in the count  they just got some good hits,” Firebird coach Mike Hill said. “We are at the stage where this type of game is going to happen. We’re trying to get it done.”

Free State (6-5) jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning with the aid of a fluke play. Junior David Arndt struck out swinging, but the ball got away from Patriot catcher Josh Jones. Arndt ran toward first base and Jones’ throw to the base was wild and went deep into foul territory, allowing senior Chris Barr and junior David Allen to score and Arndt to advance to second.

But Free State’s luck didn’t last past the second inning. The floodgates opened in the third as Parkway South sent 15 batters to the plate and capitalized on 15 hits and two Free State errors.

Free State freshman pitcher Jake Hoover lasted just 21¼3 innings and gave up six earned runs, five hits and struck out two. Junior Ben Bieker relieved Hoover, but he fared just slightly better as he allowed six hits, five runs and also struck out two.

Hill said the lack of a pitcher with a true fastball hindered his team’s chances to stem the Patriots’ offensive surge in the third inning.

“We don’t have a staff that can come from behind in the count,” he said. “None of our guys have a great fastball that they can get by you and that exacerbated what happened in the third inning.”

Free State will play Creighton (Neb.) Prep at 3 p.m. today at Free State High.

Parkway South 13, Free State 3

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Free State 030 000 Â 3 1 2

Free State highlights: David Allen 2B, run scored.