The sound of thunder has become all too familiar for the Lawrence High softball team, which has been relegated to indoor practices in addition to its season opener being postponed due to rain earlier this month.

As the rain began to pick up and a loud thunderclap boomed from the gray sky above the LHS softball field Tuesday, the Lions knew they just needed to escape the fifth inning to come away with a win.

LHS junior pitcher Zoe Brewer walked the first McLouth batter of the inning, but she retired the next three batters she faced to secure a 3-1 home win in five innings. It was a scheduled doubleheader, but the second game was postponed. No makeup date was announced.

“She looked good today,” first-year Lawrence coach Nicole Riley said of Brewer. “She was getting on top of hitters and getting first-pitch strikes.”

Brewer threw all five innings, struck out seven batters, and allowed three hits. Most importantly, in the third inning, with the tying run at the plate and no outs for McLouth (2-1), she got out of the frame mostly unscathed.

Brewer retired three consecutive batters, striking out two, and McLouth’s only run of the inning came by stealing home.

“That was huge for us,” Riley said. “Something we talk about too, being able to perform in big situations…. She seems to feed off that, which is cool to watch; a pitcher lead the team out there even though she’s in a scary situation.”

The Lions’ offense didn’t have an ideal day in the rainy conditions, but they did just enough to win.

After escaping the top of the first inning unscathed, despite two base runners, the Lions (1-1) responded with a run in the bottom of the first as sophomore Kampbell Kilburn brought sophomore Chloe Taylor across home on a fielder’s choice for a 1-0 lead.

LHS added two runs in the second inning when Taylor and senior Rhi Emerson scored on wild pitches.

The Lions’ pitching and defense helped offset some shaky base running, which was on display in the fourth inning when a runner forgot to tag from third base before running home on a pop fly.

“This rain is killing us,” Riley said. “Our baserunning wasn’t great, and we’re definitely going to be working on that if we practice outside.”

Lawrence will play host Olathe East at 4:15 p.m. Thursday.

McLouth 001 00 — 1 3 3

Lawrence 120 0X — 3 3 0

W — Zoe Brewer, 1-1. L — Brooke Vicory.

2B — Sarah Dailey, McLouth; Kampbell Killburn, LHS.

LHS highlights: Chloe Taylor, 0-for-1, two runs; Kampbell Kilburn, 1-for-2, RBI.