Lawrence Lions pitcher Devin Lauts throws against an Olathe South batter in the Lions game against the Falcons Wednesday, April 12, at LHS.

For the second straight night, Lawrence High’s baseball team picked up a dominant pitching performance.

On Wednesday, it was junior Devin Lauts’ turn to toss a complete game, paving the way for an 8-1 victory over Olathe South at LHS.

Lauts had strong command of his breaking balls, which only made his fastball tougher for opposing hitters to focus on. He struck out four in a complete-game effort, allowing only one run and six hits.

The Lions beat previously-unbeaten Leavenworth on Tuesday behind a complete-game outing from Gavin Greenwood.

“We’ve been struggling and we just really found out that we need to lock down and get the job done,” Lauts said. “It all starts on the mound.”

Lawrence Lions senior Alexander Guy, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in the third inning against the Olathe South on Wednesday, April 12, at LHS.

Lauts, who didn’t pitch much last season, surrendered a ground-rule double in the top of the first inning. He responded by retiring 12 of the next 13 hitters, erasing a third-inning single when catcher Austin Quick picked off the runner on a bunt attempt.

When Lauts watched the Falcons take batting practice prior to Wednesday’s game, he knew he needed to be careful with his pitches. Instead, he forced plenty of pop-ups while Reese Carmona and Alexander Guy covered plenty of ground in the outfield.

“I know how it feels to get a low strike and you just pop one up,” said Lauts, who credited LHS assistant coach Eric Cheray for helping him make progress as a pitcher. “I know where to locate to get the job done.”

From left, Lawrence Lions baseball coach Brad Stoll and baserunners Braden Solko and Hank Dobson, talk during warm-ups for a new Olathe South pitcher, after the Lions scored six runs in the 3rd inning against the Falcons Wednesday, April 12, at LHS. Dobson hit a bases loaded, two-run single in the inning.

The Lions (3-5) made the most of Olathe South (2-6) miscues in the third inning. They scored six runs in the frame, including their first three runs through only one hit, a single from Payton Cummins.

With two out, the Lions had seven straight hitters reach base following a throwing error that extended the inning. With the bases loaded, following hits from Andrew Stewart and Lauts, LHS senior Braden Solko hit a RBI single up the middle. Then sophomore Hank Dobson drilled a two-run single into left field.

“That sets the tone,” LHS coach Brad Stoll said of his team’s base-running. “That can manufacture runs if your bats are a little bit behind. We created those runs and then our bats started to come around.”

Lawrence added two runs in the fourth inning, aided by an error, on back-to-back RBI singles from Quick and Solko.

O-South 000 010 0 — 1 6 2

Lawrence 006 200 x — 8 8 0

W — Devin Lauts, 1-2. L — Andrew Edrington.

2B — Ryan Koval, OS; Lauts, LHS.

LHS highlights — Lauts, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1-for-4, 2 runs; Andrew Stewart, 2-for-4, 2 runs; Austin Quick, 1-for-2, RBI, run; Braden Solko, 2-for-3, 2 RBI; Hank Dobson, 1-for-2, 2 RBI, run; Payton Cummins, 1-for-2, walk, run, stolen base.