After a morning loss Friday, the Lawrence Outlaws put their hopes of reaching Sunday’s semifinals on the right arm of soft-spoken Jack Hull.

Lawrence Outlaws infielder Travis Ice throws to first base for an out against Topeka Post 74. The Outlaws won, 6-2, Friday at Free State High.

Lucky for them he hadn’t shaved.

Believing that his recent level of play had increased along with his stubble, Hull continued his string of quality outings in a 6-2 victory over Topeka Post 74.

“I started growing it out, and I’ve been playing good,” Hull said, “so I’m going to keep growing it.”

The hurler allowed three hits and two runs in a complete-game effort, giving the Outlaws what they needed in a do-or-die game.

“He’s a quiet kid, but he’s fierce on the mound,” Outlaws coach Brad Romme said. “He competes in a way that is very smooth, but you can tell there’s fire there.”

The Outlaws gave Hull an early lead, focusing on Washburn signee Dan Albright and capitalizing on his mistakes.

Kyle Cross’ RBI groundout scored Nick Ayre in the first, and nine-hole batter Jason Sneegas came through in the clutch an inning later.

Outlaws batter Jack Hull makes contact with a pitch against Topeka Post 74. Hull pitched a complete game in the Outlaws' 6-2 victory Friday at Free State High.

With two on and two out, Sneegas lined a double down the right-field line, scoring Brian O’Toole and Travis Hart to give the Outlaws a 3-0 advantage.

Sneegas said the team’s increased focus paid off in game two, as the Outlaws gained an advantage on Albright simply by paying attention.

“We were able to tell what pitch he was going to throw by the way he fiddled with the ball in his glove,” Sneegas said, “so we were all trying to pick up on that.”

Sneegas and teammate Travis Hart added RBI singles in the sixth for extra insurance to ensure the Outlaws a spot in Sunday’s semifinals. Depending on today’s results, the team could be matched up against the Lawrence Raiders.

The Outlaws were forced into a must-win situation after falling, 8-4, to Olathe East in their first game Friday. Travis Ice tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run double, but East answered with five runs in the seventh to take the lead for good.

Hart and Ice each contributed two hits in the loss.