Despite jumping out to an early advantage, Lawrence High’s baseball team was handed a 16-9 defeat by Olathe South on Monday at the Olathe District Athletic Complex. LHS fell to 6-6 on the year after its latest loss.

Lawrence leaped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, as Devin Neal and Jack Stoll both managed to draw a walk to begin the game. Cole Mondi was eventually hit by a pitch to really put the Lions in a good position.

Neal scored the game’s first run on a passed ball. Braden Hoffman then came through with a RBI single. Mondi later scored on an error by the second baseman, while August Reed capped off the frame with a RBI base knock.

Olathe South answered with seven runs in the bottom of the first, and never looked back after that. The Falcons scored two runs in the third, two runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to finish it out.

Lawrence’s pitching staff of Reed Wilson, Grant Cleavinger, John Green and Charlie Elsten issued out a total of 14 free passes on the night. The Lions surrendered 11 walks and hit three batters as well.

Hoffman led the way on offense with four hits, which included a double, in as many at-bats to go along with two RBIs. Neal delivered a double and a triple while going 2-for-4 at the plate. Carlos Vasquez, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, clubbed a solo homer in the fourth.

Lawrence will now turn its attention to the River City Baseball Festival. LHS will face Belton at 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Olathe South 16, Lawrence 9

LHS 4 1 1 1 0 2 0 — 9 11 2

OS 7 0 2 2 2 3 X — 16 11 1