Lawrence softball shows more fight in 4-0 loss to Blue Valley West

photo by: Chance Parker

Lawrence High infielder Sydney Delfelder attempts to slap hit the ball during a game against Blue Valley West at the Olathe District Activity Center Friday afternoon on April 16, 2021.

OLATHE — Fresh off a 16-1 loss in the first game of their doubleheader, and with the rain falling even harder in the second game, it would have been easy for the spirits of the Lawrence High softball players to sink.

Instead, Lawrence somehow appeared to be more energized after its loss to Blue Valley, and the Lions showed plenty of fight in the second game, a 4-0 loss to Blue Valley West.

The game was ultimately called in the sixth inning because of inclement weather on Friday at the Olathe District Activity Center.

“Coming back from a 16-1 loss, it probably is really tough to go into a second game right after that,” senior Sydney Delfelder said. “I liked how we battled with a low score and kept in the game.

“I feel like everybody did a good job keeping high energy the whole game, especially with the conditions,” she added. “I just thought we fought really hard for what we had.”

In the first game, Blue Valley bludgeoned the ball around, scoring as many as seven runs in the third inning alone. So the Lions emphasized being more vocal in the dugout during the second contest, encouraging one another as much as possible.

“It’s extremely important in any game environment, even practices,” Delfelder said. “Just to support people when they are making errors or having bad at-bats. Just to keep them positive and mentally in the game.”

Blue Valley West opened the game with two runs in the first, which led to a pitching change. LHS turned to freshman Taylor Zeckser, who made her first varsity appearance. She only gave up one run in the second and one more in the fourth.

Zeckser did a great job of throwing strikes and trusting her defense to make plays behind her. In the fifth, sophomore Gabriela Vasquez snagged a lineout from her third-base position. Sophomore shortstop Emmersyn Dye tracked down a pop-up two batters later.

“She was just staying in the zone,” LHS head coach Steve Seratte said. “Even with the poor conditions, she was still throwing a changeup real well, hitting locations, and I was just very proud of her.

“I thought everybody did a great job dealing with the conditions, especially the pitchers,” Seratte added. “It was kind of crazy that they were able to get as many strikes across as they were.”

The offense ultimately let Lawrence down in the latest loss. That’s been a recurring problem recently.

LHS recorded just four hits against Blue Valley West, two of which came in the first inning on base knocks from Dye and Maelee Folks. Vasquez came through with a base hit in the second, and Delfelder delivered a single in the third.

“I think just as a team, we are in a slump,” Delfelder said. “I think we just need to have a different mental approach when we go into the box.”

Next, Lawrence will host Blue Valley North at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Game 1: Blue Valley 16, Lawrence 1

LHS 0 0 0 1 0 — 0

BV 1 2 7 4 2 — 16

Game 2: Blue Valley West 4, Lawrence 0

BVW 2 1 0 1 0 — 4

LHS 0 0 0 0 — 0

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