Lawrence High center fielder Ross Johnson thought he had a shot to corral David Gauntt’s towering blast in a scoreless, extra-inning game.

“But then I realized that the wind was carrying it,” Johnson said.

The ball floated over the center-field fence by 10 feet, giving Shawnee Heights a two-run lead in the eighth inning that it wouldn’t relent.

Thunderbirds 3, Lions 0. Final in eight innings Saturday at LHS.

Lawrence High coach Brad Stoll wasn’t upset with the result against a quality high school baseball program.

“What a classic game,” LHS coach Brad Stoll said. “With the exception of one swing, that was a fun game to be a part of. You’ve got no complaints walking out of here except for the fact you lost.”

Senior Alex Laughlin left a pitch up in the zone, and Gauntt, who also nearly hit a home run in the fourth inning, connected.

Johnson and Jake Vinoverski got on base in the bottom half of the inning, but brothers Troy and Shane Willoughby couldn’t keep the rally alive.

“It hurts right now,” Stoll said. “But honestly, I’m proud of these guys. It was a fun baseball game to be a part of.”

Senior Garrett Cleavinger gave the Lions six shutout innings, recording seven strikeouts and allowing just two hits. In the seventh inning, Laughlin took the mound.

After a stellar performance from Jake Johnson on Thursday, Johnson is confident in the stable of arms in the Lions’ bullpen.

“We’re on track to walk half as many people as we did last year,” Johnson said. “To have pitchers like that, it means that we can come in and just hit the ball. But we haven’t been doing that.”

The Lions (1-4) outhit the Thunderbirds, 7-4, but didn’t mount much of a rally after the fourth inning. That’s when Stoll, serving as third-base coach, sent senior Aaron Gile to the plate on a single by senior Corbin Francisco.

Gile was tagged out, but Stoll doesn’t regret the decision at all.

“That’s a no-brainer,” Stoll said. “You’ve got two outs. You’re going against a guy that’s throwing well. I have no issues.”

Gauntt, also Shawnee Heights’ pitcher, picked up a complete-game shutout. He struck out five and walked no one.

“First round of state, first round of regionals, you’re always going to see the No. 1 pitcher, so it’s good for us,” Johnson said.

The Lions will play host to Olathe North at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.