Lawrence High baseball players, from left, Ivan Hollins, Steven Garcia and Nick Haynes observe a moment of silence for Hollins' mother, Schnette, who died recently, prior to the Lions' game May 4, 2014, at LHS against Rockhurst.

Lawrence High’s baseball team could not quite get over the hump in a 5-4 setback to Kansas City (Missouri) Rockhurst on Monday, but the loss and two rain delays did not keep the Lions from having some fun and remembering one of their biggest fans.

The Lions held a moment of silence before the game for Schnette Hollins, mother of Lawrence High catcher Ivan Hollins, who died April 24 after a battle with cancer.

“I’ve had a ton of support from the team, bringing me up when I’m down,” Ivan said. “I can’t help but be happy when I step on the diamond.”

In Ivan’s first game back behind the plate since his mother’s passing, he wasted little time making an impact. The LHS catcher made a put-out at the plate in the first on an attempted double steal and worked a 10-pitch walk in his first at-bat.

“Baseball is such a repetition sport, and to be out for over a week and come back to have some good at-bats and play so well behind the plate, that shows you what kind of kid he is,” LHS coach Brad Stoll said.

Despite the efficient play from Hollins, the Hawklets clawed to a 3-0 lead before the first rain delay after the top of the second. T.J. Green, son of former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, belted an RBI double in the first, and Rockhurst added two more in the second.

The delay might have been just what the Lions needed, as they loosened up during the game stoppage by celebrating Star Wars Day with some jousting against Rockhurst and competed against the Hawklets in dance-offs.

“I’ve always wanted a rain delay so we can just goof around like that,” Ivan said. “That’s what I look forward to. It’s really fun watching and participating in that, too.”

Lawrence High starting pitcher Nick Haynes found a rhythm after the end of the delay, tossing three scoreless innings with the help of more dazzling defense from his teammates.

The Lions turned two double plays behind Haynes, as his goal was to pitch to contact.

“I didn’t really think about how hard it was and just went out there and tried to throw strikes and have them swing the bats and get some outs,” Haynes said.

The Lions were able to score their first run on an RBI groundout from Daonte Lowery to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of fifth, just before lightning struck to the north to force another delay.

After Rockhurst added a run shortly after the stoppage, the Lions made it a one-run game, capitalizing on two wild pitches to bring in runners from third.

However, the Lions gave one right back with a wild pitch of their own and needed two runs in the bottom of the seventh to stay in it.

No. 3 hitter Michael Sinks provided a big boost to give the Lions a chance with an RBI triple, but he was stranded at third to end the game.

“Our motto is to get the tying run to the plate, and that’s what we did in that last inning,” Haynes said. “We just fell a little short.”

Rockhurst 120 001 1 — 5 10 0

Lawrence 000 012 1 — 4 6 0

W –Jon Wemhoff. L — Nick Haynes. SV –Dalton Lanpher.

2B — Michael Sinks, LHS; Nick Bosma, David Leatherwood, T.J. Green, RHS.

3B –Michael Sinks, LHS; David Leatherwood, RHS.

Lawrence highlights — Michael Sinks 2-for-3, RBI, BB; Nate Hulse 1-for-2, SB, BB; Daonte Lowery 1-for-3 RBIs.