Lawrence High's Reese Carmona (2) slaps hands with teammate Devin Lauts (22) after coming across home plate to score a run during the Lions' game against Leavenworth Monday evening at LHS.

It was a matchup between two teams unbeaten in Sunflower League play, and Lawrence High’s baseball players did their best to make a statement against Leavenworth on Monday.

The Lions had three pitchers combine for a three-hitter, and each hitter reached base at least once in a 6-1 victory at LHS.

In the past two weeks, the Lions have transformed from a winless team to one at the top of the league standings. The Lions are tied with Shawnee Mission East with 4-0 league records.

“We’re minimizing our mistakes,” LHS coach Brad Stoll said. “We’re minimizing our free passes and our errors, and I think we’re getting rewarded for that. A pretty relentless effort from these guys, and it’s paying off.”

LHS junior pitcher Gavin Greenwood has epitomized Lawrence’s turnaround this season. The Lions, who opened the year with an 0-3 record, have won their past three games and four of their past five.

In Greenwood’s season debut, he was hit around by St. James Academy, paying the price for leaving pitches up in the strike zone. His coaches and teammates attribute those mistake pitches to nerves.

But since that first outing, Greenwood has only improved. Against Leavenworth (7-2, 3-1 in Sunflower League), he tossed three shutout innings, giving up only one hit. He received some help from his defense, including a diving catch in right field by junior Joe Harms and two double plays started by sophomore second baseman Andrew Stewart.

The Lions (4-4, 4-0) found their offensive groove with a three-run second inning. Senior Daonte Lowery hit a leadoff double and scored on a double from junior designated hitter Jacob Unruh. After Harms drew a one-out walk, Unruh and Harms scored on a single to center by sophomore catcher Reese Carmona.

“I’ve had the same approach all year. Just finally executed,” said Unruh, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles.

In the third inning, senior outfielder Luke Padia, who recovered from a broken leg during football season, hit a RBI single, scoring senior third baseman Parker Kirkpatrick.

During the three-game win streak, the Lions have drilled 36 hits and scored 20 runs.

“I feel like our hitting has been a lot better,” Carmona said. “Everything has changed. Our practices have been harder.”

Before Greenwood stepped on the mound, 6-foot sophomore right-hander Ethan Taylor allowed only one hit across the first three innings — an RBI single in the second inning by Leavenworth senior Tommy Barnhouse, a Wichita State signee. Taylor struck out three, using strong command to paint the corners of the plate.

“ET goes out there and he commands the pitch every time,” Unruh said. “He’s very good. Gavin, he does the same thing. They did a great job tonight.”

Leavenworth 010 020 0 — 1 3 2

Lawrence 131 100 x — 6 10 2

W — Ethan Taylor, 2-0. L — Griffin Hancock.

2B — Daonte Lowery, Jacob Unruh 2, LHS.

LHS highlights — Taylor, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K; Gavin Greenwood, 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K; Reese Carmona, 2-for-3, 2 runs, RBI; Andrew Stewart, 2-for-3; Unruh, 2-for-3, RBI; Devin Lauts, 1-for-3, RBI, 1 IP.