WRITER: Conner Becker

Larkin delivers 10 strikeouts in 8-0 romp over SM North; O-North escapes LHS in brutal late stand

The weather seemingly warmed back up right alongside Free State pitcher Blaine Larkin in an 8-0 shutout win against Shawnee Mission North at home, as the junior struck out 10 batters and allowed three total hits through six innings on Wednesday. FSHS, which now turns its attention to a road test in Fayetteville, Arkansas, compiled eight total hits to complement Larkin’s day on the mound. Four Firebirds – ...

New DB coach D.K. McDonald hitting it off with KU defense through first week of spring football

Among the new faces at Kansas’ spring practices this past week was newly hired co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach D.K. McDonald. After coming to Lawrence from Philadelphia, the 22-year coaching veteran is already making a strong impression on a defense searching for further improvement this fall. McDonald, who spent three seasons as a pass-game coordinator at Iowa State before helping the ...

Dye brothers standing out among KU safeties

Filling a vacancy left by veteran safety Kenny Logan is atop Kansas defensive coordinator Brian Borland’s to-do list as spring practices stretched into the weekend. Meeting with reporters after Saturday’s practices, Borland pointed to several names “starting to step up a little bit” throughout the last week, including the Dye brothers, Jalen and Devin, and Mulvane native Mason Ellis in the safety ...

Preps Notebook: LHS softball opens season with doubleheader wins

A cold windy home opener was no obstacle for the Lawrence High softball team, which swept Manhattan High 8-6 and 6-5 to begin the season perfect on Friday. The Lions (2-0) looked to Taylor Zeckser with the start in Game 1, as the senior went on to pitch all seven innings with 10 hits, six runs, two walks and seven total strikeouts. LHS got its bats swinging early, leaping to a 5-1 lead by the end of the ...

Preps Notebook: Wagner nets game-winner in LHS soccer opener; Free State, LHS baseball string together wins in opening weekend

Freshman Maggie Wagner delivered the game-winning goal in Lawrence High girls soccer’s 1-0 double-overtime win over Shawnee Mission North in Wednesday’s home opener. The final play came down to a crucial corner kick by sophomore Stella Comparato. Recalling her game-winner, Wagner said she hardly received any notice before Comparato forced the ball back into the box and, consequently, found Wagner’s ...

Spring sports preview: Senior standouts support LHS baseball's lofty postseason goals

There’s a bit of added motivation for Lawrence High baseball’s senior-heavy roster this spring after being denied a spot in last year’s state tournament by crosstown rival Free State – the very same team that LHS had cleared in the City Showdown before making its postseason run. Last year’s finish to a 10-12 campaign with a remarkable midseason turnaround lit a fire in Brad Stoll’s senior class, the ...