Tulsa, Okla. ? The Lawrence High baseball team hung tough early Friday against the No. 24 team in the country before a pair of big innings closed the door on an 11-2 setback to Tulsa (Okla.) Union in the Lions’ season opener.

Union scored four times in the fourth inning to open a 6-1 lead, then tacked on four more in the sixth to end the game early due to the mercy rule.

“We left a few balls up, and, to their credit – they’re 10-1 and the defending state champs – they took advantage of some mistakes and hammered us,” said LHS coach Brad Stoll.

Senior right-hander Drew Hulse suffered the loss for the Lions. Joe Muiller also saw action in relief.

Second baseman Travis Sanders was a bright spot on offense for LHS, finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles and scoring a run.

“It was 11-2, but we were pleased with some things that happened,” Stoll said. “We had some competitive at-bats, and we were competitive on the mound.”

LHS will return to action with two games today, facing Tulsa Kelley at 1 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. contest against Stillwater.