Topeka ? The Lawrence Raiders opened their summer baseball season Thursday night with an 8-2 loss to the Topeka Giants.

The Raiders led 2-0 after single runs in the first and third innings, but Topeka scored five times in the bottom of the third.

Doug Easum and Zach Bickling drove in runs for the Raiders.

“That was a college team we played tonight,” Raiders coach Brad Romme said. “We were right in the game for a while. I’ve got real good feelings about it.”

Raiders 101 000 000 — 2 8 4

Topeka Giants 005 000 21x — 8 4 0

W — Wayne Martin. L — Nate Hulse (1-0).

Raiders highlights — Easton Barnes 2 singles, SB, run; Doug Easum 2 singles, RBI; Zach Bickling RBI; Ryan Cantrell 2B, run.

Raiders record — 1-0. Next for Raiders — Monday at Topeka Senators.