Lawrence High’s softball team reversed its fortunes heading into the final stretch of the season when it swept Shawnee Mission West in a doubleheader Tuesday at Holcom Sports Complex.

The Lions won, 5-2 and 5-1, to expand their winning streak to four games. LHS coach Reenie Stogsdill said her team’s awakening was coming just in time.

“We didn’t play great, but we played well enough to win,” Stogsdill said. “If we can win out, we will be sitting pretty good for our regional seeding.”

The first game got off to a shaky start. The Lions gave up a pair of runs in the first inning when Whitney Juneau gave up a pair of doubles and a single.

But the main problem wasn’t the pitching, but rather the defense.

“I think at one point we were watching a circus, throwing the ball around,” Stogsdill said, “but they settled down.”

But the Lions roared back in the bottom of the first with three runs on four hits. Juneau helped her cause when she doubled home a run. Amy Bullerman followed with a bunt back to pitcher Oksana Tevis, who chucked the ball to home but couldn’t get Lauren Kelly out at the plate.

The three-run inning was all the Lions would need. Juneau allowed just three hits during the next six innings and never more than one in an inning.

“I think I came out, and we were all a little excited about Senior Day. We weren’t as focused,” she said, “but it got better as the game went on.”

Lawrence High pitcher Whitney Juneau winds up to pitch against Shawnee Mission West. The Lions swept a doubleheader with the Vikings, 5-2 and 5-1, Tuesday at Holcom Sports Complex.

The Lions continued to shut the Vikings down in the next game, jumping out to an early 1-0 lead when an Amy Bullerman sacrifice fly scored Drew Huff.

Shawnee Mission West got an equalizer in the fourth inning, but the Lions exploded for four runs in the bottom half.

The inning started when Bullerman hit for a ground-rule double. The Lions eventually loaded the bases, and Vikings pitcher Sara Chew walked in a run before a Huff double to left scored another run.

LHS pitcher Lisa Pearse held on to the lead despite having control problems late in the game. When her control was giving away, the defense bailed her out.

“Most teams hit Lisa a little more, but she can keep the ball down, and we get ground balls, and we can play defense and get out of it,” Stogsdill said.

The Lions (9-7) will travel Friday to SM North, then play Tuesday at Free State High.