WRITER: David Rodish

Lawrence softball beats Shawnee Mission South 3-1 behind 15 strikeouts from pitcher

In a game where Lawrence softball's offense wasn't generating hits the way it can, pitcher Keira Norris carried the load, as she threw 15 strikeouts en route to a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission South on Tuesday. The Lions (16-8) found offense when they needed it, but the pitching made the difference in the game. Norris allowed only three hits and one walk in seven innings and didn’t give up an earned ...

City Showdown: Free State baseball wins 10-2 over Lawrence at Hoglund Ballpark, secures league championship

Free State baseball beat Lawrence 10-2 at Hoglund Ballpark to sweep the Lions in City Showdown games and secure a Sunflower League championship. “Going into the game, we were thinking, ‘Let’s win a league championship,’ not necessarily ‘Let’s beat Lawrence,’” Cole Wright said. “But it still feels great to beat those guys across town.” The Lions started at the plate and opened the game with ...

Free State places sixth, Lawrence 12th in Sunflower League girls swim meet

Lenexa — Free State placed sixth, while Lawrence placed 12th after the final day of the Sunflower League girls swim meet at the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center on Saturday. The Firebirds scored 183 points, 34 points ahead of seventh-place Mill Valley and 33 points behind fifth-place Shawnee Mission Northwest. The Lions scored 69 points, 35 more than Shawnee Mission West and 9.5 points behind ...

Free State to send 4 Firebirds to boys tennis state tournament, Lawrence sends its top singles player

Olathe — Free State will send three entrants, and Lawrence will send its top singles player to the 6A boys tennis state tournament. Both boys tennis teams competed in the Olathe South 6A East regional at the College Boulevard Sports Complex on Saturday. The top six singles players and top six doubles teams in the tournament advanced to state. “Getting three entrants in is about as good as it can get,” ...

Free State, Lawrence girls swim and dive teams complete preliminary races in Sunflower League meet

Lenexa — The Free State and Lawrence girls swim teams concluded the preliminary races of the three-day Sunflower League tournament on Friday. Both teams will return to the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center on Saturday for the final round of swim and dive events. The preliminary and semifinal diving rounds had taken place on Thursday. Free State junior Taylor Andrew placed 21st after scoring ...

Free State girls soccer fights back from 2-goal deficit to tie Olathe North 2-2 at home

Free State girls soccer tied 2-2 against Olathe North at home on Thursday, moving to 5-7-1 on the season. The Firebirds got down early in the game but were able to fight back and tie it up late in the second half. The resiliency of the team was a major positive of the game. Free State coach Joe Waldron said there are some ties where a coach doesn’t feel good about it afterward, and there are some ties that do ...