Lawrence High’s Kasey Waite sends the ball over the left-field fence for a solo home run during Lawrence High’s game against Free State Thursday, April 21, 2011 at LHS. The Lions won, 4-2.

For about an inning, the emotions of Senior Night wore on Lawrence High’s softball team.

For the next six innings, though, the Lions calmed down and secured a 4-2 victory Thursday against Free State at the LHS softball stadium.

“I expected my seniors to shine, and they did,” LHS coach Reenie Stogsdill said.

The Lions (8-6) certainly started off shakily after the emotional Senior Night ceremony. In the top of the first, the Firebirds (4-6) tallied two runs on a single, a two-base error and a double by freshman Whitney Rothwell.

Senior first baseman Kasey Waite, who “kind of” cried after the ceremony, committed the error, underhand-tossing a ball past second baseman Mallory Reynolds covering first base.

The mistake helped her realize that she needed to show leadership.

“I needed to get focused because I knew I wasn’t ready for that first play,” Waite said.

Waite earned her redemption in the second inning, when she took a pitch from Free State junior Mary Ann Smith over the left-field wall and into the trees surrounding the stadium. She said she wasn’t sure if the ball was out when she hit it.

“Then I heard everybody yell,” Waite said. “And I was excited.”

The Lions added three runs in the third inning. Senior Kristen Bell’s double drove in freshman Marly Carmona, and Waite’s triple brought Bell home from second. Senior Lauren Massey singled through the left side to score Waite.

Massey’s most important contribution came on the mound, however. She finished with 11 strikeouts and had four 1-2-3 innings.

She said she was able to shake the Senior Night jitters with the help of her batterymate, Bell.

“You just have to realize that it’s just another game, and you just have to play your game,” Massey said.

Free State coach Lee Ice said he thought his players competed better than they had all season long.

“We just have to finish better,” Ice said. “We had opportunities, and we just can’t get the key hit. They got the key hits tonight.”

The Firebirds’ pitching was solid, but they couldn’t generate a rally after their two-run first inning.

“You’re not going to win games like that with just two runs,” Ice said.

Free State also committed four errors, giving the Lions more chances to come through with a big hit.

It was the last home game for Massey, Bell, Waite, Emily Peterson and Rachel Kelly.

Peterson left her mark on the game with a tremendous overhead catch in left field. She grabbed the softball out of her glove to show she made the catch and simultaneously pushed through a loose outfield gate.

Kelly, who is unable to play this season, cheered on her team from the dugout.

“They are such a great example to the younger kids,” Stogsdill said. “That’s the biggest thing they’ve contributed to Lawrence High — just setting an example for our younger kids.”

The Lions will play a doubleheader at Leavenworth on Tuesday. The Firebirds play host to Olathe North, also on Tuesday.