City showdown clash of unbeatens

Tonight’s intracity showdown of undefeated baseball squads probably should come with a caveat.

Yes, Lawrence High and Free State each are perfect this season, but the season is just two weeks old.

“It’s early in the season, so the undefeated records don’t really have a lot of credibility right now,” LHS coach David Petry said.

Still, both squads have played impressively, which could make the 5 p.m. game today at Free State’s field a dandy.

The Firebirds (5-0) beat Claremore, Okla. — the No. 1-ranked team in Oklahoma’s Class 5A — Friday, then followed it with 15 hits in a 15-2 win Saturday against Springfield (Mo.) Glendale. That’s a pair of impressive wins any time of the year.

“Any coach is gonna say there’s room for improvement,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said. “But truthfully, we’ve been very pleased with the way we’ve played in all facets of the game.”

The Firebirds have scored at least nine runs in their last four games — including a pair of 13-0 wins last week. They’ve only had five errors in five games, and Hill said their pitching has been solid.

“We’ve gotten off to about as good a start as we could have,” he said.

The Lions (3-0) haven’t posted the same kind of offensive numbers, but have gotten it done with defense and pitching, which, at this point, is fine with Petry.

“Defensively, we’re playing really well,” the LHS coach said. “We haven’t had an error in our first three games, and we’ve used three different starters and (Aaron) Madill in relief.

“I feel pretty good about where our pitching is.”

In Saturday’s doubleheader sweep against Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North, senior Ryan Rowland and Madill combined in the first game for a four-hitter; senior Spence Chaney allowed only two hits in the second game.

That kind of pitching — tonight’s

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starter, Taylor Martin, was solid in the season opener against Olathe North — has masked the Lions’ offensive woes.

When: 5 p.m. today.Where: Free State’s field.Records: Lawrence High (3-0) vs. Free State High (5-0).All-time: Firebirds lead series, 5-4, but teams split last year, 1-1.

They’re hitting .319 as a team, but Petry hasn’t been satisfied with their runs production.

“It’s not that it’s bad, but we just haven’t seen that much live pitching,” Petry said. “Some of that is we’re getting hits, but we’re making baserunning errors that haven’t helped us score.”

The Firebirds have put up plenty of runs, but Hill wasn’t sure about his pitching staff’s condition for tonight or who would start.

“Johnny Allstaff,” he quipped. “It’s gonna be a mix of pitchers. We’re a little thin right now. There may be a few guys throwing a couple of innings apiece.”

Both coaches might have to conserve pitchers for the River City Festival, which starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. And, that’s if tonight’s game is even played.

Nearly half an inch of rain fell Sunday, which soaked FSHS field. It was covered, but it still won’t be in prime playing shape.

“The problem is that it’s not getting any sun on it,” Petry said. “And if it stays cold like this, it’s not getting a chance to dry out. It’s not necessarily a bad thing if we have to move it. It’s game that we want to play when the weather’s nice so people can come out.”