10:45 a.m. update

The Lawrence High vs. Olathe East softball game at Arrocha Ballpark is currently on a rain delay. At the time the game was called, Lawrence High was down 6-0.

Original story

In its first two games against undefeated Olathe East, Lawrence High’s softball team didn’t put up much of a fight.

The Lions took 4-0 and 13-0 road losses, but coach Reenie Stogsdill said she didn’t think her team was ready to play.

“They haven’t seen our best,” Stogsdill said.

So when the eighth-seeded Lions (13-9) take the field for a state quarterfinal against the top-seeded Hawks (22-0) at Kansas University’s Arrocha Ballpark at 10 a.m. Friday, they’ll be looking to play to their potential.

Olathe East has just two seniors, so the Lions’ senior leadership might give them an advantage.

Seniors Lauren Massey, Kristen Bell, Kasey Waite, Emily Peterson and Rachel Kelly haven’t played in a state tournament, but Massey and Bell have played varsity softball for four years.

The Hawks do have the Sunflower League Player of the Year, junior center fielder Kiki Stokes. She leads off and has the speed to create runs.

Keeping Stokes off the bases will be key.

If the Lions win Friday, they will play at 10 a.m. Saturday against the winner of fourth-seeded Olathe South (19-3) and fifth-seeded Washburn Rural (19-3).