Olathe ? When Lawrence High’s softball players were down to their final outs against Manhattan on Tuesday, they found some momentum at the plate.

The problem: it was too late.

The Lions couldn’t make up enough ground in a seventh-inning rally, suffering a 7-5, season-ending loss in the first round of regionals at College Boulevard Activity Complex.

“We had confidence,” LHS senior Annie Grammer said, “but it just didn’t show on the field.”

Trailing by five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lions had three straight one-out singles from Chloe Taylor, Zoe Brewer and Kampbell Kilburn.

Grammer followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, and freshman Karly Johnson cleared the bases with a two-out, two-run double over the head of Manhattan’s left fielder.

But that’s as far as the rally would go for the Lions and their season ended on a ground out.

“Like I told them, you can’t come to play in the seventh inning, especially when you’re down five runs,” Lawrence coach Nicole Riley said.

Manhattan (11-11) opened up its lead with a three-run fifth inning. Leadoff hitter Raegan Wilcoxson started the frame with a solo home run over the fence in left-center. Then five straight batters reached base via three hits and two walks. Josie Hilgers hit a RBI double and eventually scored on an error in the outfield.

Hilgers, Manhattan’s cleanup hitter, added a two-run home run in the third inning.

“I didn’t even really know what to say to them in the post-game (huddle),” Riley said. “Kind of in shock.”

The Lions, who entered regionals on a four-game winning streak, were aggressive at the plate. Several batters swung at the first pitch they saw from Manhattan pitcher Annaneace Batt.

But Lawrence only managed three hits through the first six innings — including an RBI double from Grammer down the right field line in the second inning, scoring Kilburn. Brewer scored earlier in the frame on a throwing error.

“I feel like we were trying to get on top of the ball,” Grammer said. “But I also feel like we should’ve been more patient at the plate and tried to get our pitch instead of the first one she threw us.”

Ending the season with a 10-10 record, the Lions are confident that there’s a bright future for the program with only three seniors: Grammer, Rhi Emerson and Grace Neilson.

“They’ll do a lot better because I think we came out scared,” Grammer said. “They just have to know next year, don’t come out scared and play your ball and they’ll do just fine, especially with coach Riley.”

The coach added: “We’ll have a lot of people back and it’ll be good. It’s just unfortunate for our seniors to send them out this way.”

Manhattan 012 030 1– 7 9 3

Lawrence 002 000 3 — 5 7 1

W — Annaneace Batt. L — Zoe Brewer.

2B — Haleigh Harper, Josie Hilgers, MAN; Annie Grammer, Karly Johnson, LHS. HR — Josie Hilgers, Raegan Wilcoxson, MAN.

LHS highlights — Grammer, 1-for-3, 2 RBI; Johnson, 1-for-4, 2 RBI; Brewer, 1-for-4, 2 runs; Chloe Taylor, 1-for-3, run; Kampbell Kilburn, 1-for-4, 2 runs.