The Lawrence Raiders have won three consecutive state titles, but they still haven’t been able to conquer the wooden bat.

The team will get another crack at it this weekend, when it plays host to the eight-team Al Ice Memorial Woodbat Classic – a tournament it hasn’t won since 1999.

“It’s a pretty big difference,” Raiders outfielder Tyler Knight said. “If you hit a ball where you would with a metal bat, it could be a little roll-over with a wood bat. The sweet spot’s a lot smaller.”

The Raiders found out just how much smaller in last year’s tournament, where they were no-hit in the semifinal round by Tulsa Memorial’s Jake Medlin.

“We’re not going to have that luxury to be able to go up there and wait on a big hit or the big inning,” Raiders coach Troy Wingert said.

Lawrence will open its tournament with a game at 7:30 tonight against Dodge City at Hoglund Ballpark. The team also will play Friday and Saturday nights at the KU baseball facility.