For one day, the Lawrence Raiders’ Travis Blankenship was just like Roger Clemens on the mound.

Well, almost.

“I wish Roger Clemens,” Blankenship said, “but he throws a little harder than I do.”

Even without the velocity, Blankenship managed to do a pretty good “Rocket” impersonation Thursday, striking out 16 batters in Lawrence’s 3-1 victory over Dodge City at the Al Ice Memorial Woodbat Classic.

“Travis was definitely on today,” Raiders coach Troy Wingert said. “As a pitcher, you have to love a wood-bat tournament because you can definitely use the inner half more effectively.”

The left-hander did that and more, stifling the Dodge City offense after allowing a single run in the first inning.

Lawrence Raiders outfielder Scott Heitshusen slides past Dodge City Rangers catcher Ryan Bibens during the Al Ice Memorial Woodbat Classic. The Raiders won Thursday's game, 3-1, at Hoglund Ballpark.

Dodge City put together three hits – all bloopers down the right-field line – to take the early 1-0 lead.

“I was kind of rushing things and needed to fix my mechanics,” Blankenship said. “After that I kind of settled in.”

Blankenship recorded 15 of the next 18 outs all by himself, registering at least two Ks in each of the next six innings.

Not only that, he struck out the side in frames two, four and seven, allowing six hits and only a single walk in a complete-game effort.

“When you come out and have a guy do something like that,” Raiders outfielder Brett Lisher said, “you’re going to want to win for him.”

After being dropped to the six-hole in the order, Lisher was the one to help out Blankenship the most.

Lawrence Raiders second baseman Nick Madl tosses the ball to first base for the final out of the sixth inning. The Raiders beat the Dodge City Rangers, 3-1, on Thursday in the opening round of the Al Ice Memorial Woodbat Classic.

Following a walk and wild pitch, Lisher smashed an RBI single up the middle to score Tyler Knight and make it 1-1 in the second inning.

The right-handed hitter came through again in the sixth. After Scott Heitshusen was hit by a pitch and Knight sacrificed him over, Lisher delivered a single to left to give the Raiders a much-needed insurance run.

In the end, he contributed half of Lawrence’s hits.

“Four hits is not what we want,” Lisher said, “but those four hits did a pretty good job for us.”

Lawrence used small ball to produce its other run in the fifth.

Andy Petz started the inning with a walk, moving to second on a wild pitch. Kyle Cross bumped him to third with a bunt, and Nick Madl scored the run with an RBI groundout to third.

Lawrence Raiders shortstop Travis Ice throws to first base for an out in a 3-1 victory over the Dodge City Rangers. The Raiders earned the win Thursday night in the opening round of the Al Ice Memorial Woodbat Classic at Hoglund Ballpark.

“The key is that we had runners on to move,” Wingert said. “Four hits, three runs isn’t our game, but with wood bats we’ll definitely take it. That’s what we need to do to be successful in this tournament.”

Lawrence was able to overcome a strong pitching performance from Dodge City’s Weston Arbogast. He was a familiar face to some of the Raiders, as he started against Free State in last month’s Class 6A state tournament.

Still, the night belonged to Blankenship, though Lisher wasn’t ready to call him a lefty Clemens just yet.

“That guy’s pretty nasty, but Travis can come out and play,” Lisher said. “That’s what I like about the kid.”

The Raiders will continue pool play at 7:30 tonight, facing the Ozark (Mo.) Merchants at Hoglund Ballpark.

Raiders 3, Dodge City Rangers 1

Lawrence 010 011 0 – 3 4 0

Dodge City 100 000 0 – 1 6 0

W-Travis Blankenship. L-Weston Arbogast.

Raiders highlights-Blankenship CG, ER, 6 H, 16 K, BB; Brett Lisher 2-for-3, two RBIs; Brian Heere 1-for-3, two stolen bases; Travis Ice 1-for-3, walk. Raiders record-13-2.