Tables turn on Raiders in 11-0 loss

Lawrence plays today in Wood Bat semifinal

Lawrence’s Raiders received a taste of their own medicine Saturday night against Arkansas City at the Al Ice Memorial Wood Bat Classic at Hoglund Ballpark.

The same American Legion club that hunted down Claremore, Okla., 11-0, Thursday, became the prey Saturday, losing by that same 11-0 margin to Ark City. It was the Raiders’ first loss in the four-day tournament.

Lawrence (15-5) had 21 hits after two tourney games, but mustered just four hits — all singles — as it was shut down by Diamondbacks pitcher Adam Cornejo.

“We probably came out a little bit flat,” Raider shortstop Matt Berner said. “That’s a great team. Cornejo was probably one of the better pitchers we’ve faced all year.”

Berner had a single in the first inning. Lawrence catcher Tommy Mangino followed with a single, but the Raiders went on an offensive drought until second baseman Andrew Pyle’s single in the fifth. Center fielder Derek Bailey knocked a single after Pyle.

That was it, though, as far as Raiders’ offense.

“You’re gonna have these kind of games,” Lawrence coach Carl Brooks said. “My philosophy is this: Players don’t try to play bad. We didn’t play bad, really. (Ark City) hit the ball really well. It would be more appropriate to give them credit than to say anything bad about our guys. They just beat us.”

The Diamondbacks (13-4) finished with 10 hits, including five in a six-run first inning off Lawrence pitcher Kyle Unruh. They smacked six extra-base hits, with three triples and three doubles.

Despite the loss, the Raiders still clinched a tournament semifinal birth because they allowed one fewer run than Claremore, Okla.

“We’re down right now, but I guarantee we’ll back tomorrow,” Berner said of today’s 1:30 p.m. semifinal against top-seeded Bartlesville, Okla. “Coach said to leave this one at the ballpark and I think everyone will do that. We’re gonna come out tomorrow and try to win a couple of games.”

With a win, fourth-seeded Lawrence would advance to the championship game at 6 p.m. against the winner of the 3:30 p.m. semifinal between No. 2 Tulsa, Okla., and No. 3 Ark City.