photo by: Chance Parker

Lawrence High shortstop Carlos Vasquez throws the ball to first base against Blue Valley North. Lawrence High fell 6-0 Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Hoglund Ballpark.

Lawrence High’s offense bounced back in a big way Tuesday with a 12-1 road win over Shawnee Mission North.

Just a few days after not scoring a run against Blue Valley North, the Lions (8-7) only needed five innings to roll to a lopsided win. They put together three big innings, with four-run outbursts in the first and third and a three-run effort in the second.

“Much better night,” LHS head coach Brad Stoll said. “Great approach of staying in the middle of the field. Loved their approach at the plate.”

The top-four batters in the Lawrence lineup posted multiple hits on the day. Senior Devin Neal, the leadoff hitter, finished with three hits in as many at-bats to go along with one double, one walk, one RBI and three runs scored.

Jack Stoll, who batted right behind Neal, finished with two hits and a team-high three RBIs. Senior Carlos Vasquez tallied a double and a triple on his way to a 2-for-2 day at the plate. Senior Cole Mondi smacked a pair of singles and finished with two RBIs.

In addition, Karson Green, Porter Dannevik, August Reed and Colin Marett all recorded one hit. LHS finished with 13 hits as a team. On the mound, Reed Wilson and John Green combined to throw five innings of one-run ball.

Lawrence will play host to Shawnee Mission South at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

LHS 12, SMN 1

LHS 4 3 4 1 0 X X — 12 13 1

SMN 0 0 0 1 0 X X — 1 1 2

photo by: Rochelle Tramp

Free State senior Michael Uhler throws a pitch during a game at FSHS this season. Uhler only gave up one earned run in a win over Mill Valley on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Photo courtesy of Rochelle Tramp.

Free State baseball secures narrow win

Behind another strong pitching performance from Michael Uhler, Free State’s baseball team recorded a 3-2 road victory over Mill Valley on Tuesday. The Firebirds (9-7) have now won four games in a row.

Uhler, who has pitched very well as of late, finished two outs shy of a complete-game effort for FSHS. In 6 1/3 innings on the mound, Uhler gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits to Mill Valley. He struck out seven batters and walked two, firing a strike on 57 of his 97 pitches.

Free State’s offense did just enough to support his gem, scoring two runs in the top of the first to grab an early advantage. Drew Bradford and Joey Wood opened the inning off with back-to-back singles before the former scored on a fielding error during Maddox Burkitt’s at-bat.

Grant Gregory later brought home the second run of the frame on a RBI groundout. After Mill Valley eventually evened the score, FSHS plated the go-ahead run in the top of the third when Harrison Juhl stole home during Matt Gabriel’s at-bat.

Free State’s top-three batters — Bradford, Wood and Burkitt — were responsible for all three hits recorded by the visitors. Burkitt tallied the final two outs in relief, needing 11 pitches to do so and whiffing one batter in the process.

FSHS will host Olathe South at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Free State 3, Mill Valley 2

FSHS 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 — 3 3 2

MLVY 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 7 2

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State senior pitcher Tatum Clopton pitches against Washburn Rural. Free State fell 3-2 Friday, April, 16, 2021 at the College Boulevard Activity Center.

Tatum Clopton spins no-hitter for FSHS softball

Thanks to another remarkable no-hit performance from Tatum Clopton, Free State’s softball team cruised to a 13-0 road victory over Gardner Edgerton on Tuesday.

Not only did Clopton not give up a hit, but she rarely let the ball get put in play. Clopton struck out 12 of the 19 batters she faced across five innings. She threw a strike on 53 of her 75 total pitches, issuing two walks in the shutout.

Free State’s offense scored 10 runs in the top of the third to provide plenty of run support. Sara Roszak drove in a team-best five RBIs on two hits, which included a home run. Leah Mueller also delivered a three-run blast.

Kay Lee Richardson paced the Firebirds (10-1) with three hits in four at-bats. Jasmine Brixius and Clopton both recorded a double.

Free State is now firmly atop the Sunflower League standings with a 9-0 clip, while Gardner Edgerton is in second with a 8-2 record against league opponents.

FSHS will host Olathe East on Thursday.

LHS girls soccer grabs road victory

Lawrence High’s girls soccer team snapped a two-game skid with a 3-0 win at Gardner Edgerton on Tuesday.

After being held scoreless in back-to-back matches, the Lions (4-5) struck first with a goal by Olivia Platt on the assist from I’yawa Brewer. Avery Kingery then pressured the goalie into a turnover, leading to a score by Brewer early in the second half.

Kingery capped things off by scoring the final goal with four minutes remaining.

LHS will travel to Topeka Seaman at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

BSA soccer earns 8-1 win

Despite having talented forward Hannah Hartzler sidelined, Bishop Seabury’s girls soccer team secured a 8-1 victory over Highland Park on Monday.

Sophomore Sofia Gonzalez came through in a big way for the Seahawks, scoring four goals from her midfield position to lead a shorthanded squad. She also recorded an assist on the big offensive night.

Summer Hartzler recorded a hat trick as well for BSA. Junior Lou Debvre was responsible for the other goal.

Bishop Seabury will travel to Wichita Classical at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Local golf teams compete in Topeka West Invitational

Free State and Lawrence High boys golf teams were in action on Monday in a 19-team event at the Topeka Country Club. FSHS finished ninth with a team score of 345, while Lawrence placed 18th with a 408.

Blue Valley won the team title and individual crown at the Topeka West Invitational. Freshman Chance Rinkol posted a winning score of 69, while his team finished with a round of 304.

Free State was led by Reece Gray, who finished in a tie for 18th place as an individual with a round of 82. LHS freshman Gunnar Wayenberg paced his squad with a 89, which was good enough to end up in a tie for 53rd place.

Topeka West Invitational

Monday at Topeka Country Club

Team scores: 1. Blue Valley 304; 2. Blue Valley NW 324; 3. SM East 325; 4. Olathe NW 326; 5. Washburn Rural 327; 6. Blue Valley West 333; 7. Manhattan 342; 8. Emporia 345; 9. Free State 345; 10. SM Northwest 352; 11. Shawnee Heights 355; 13. Topeka Seaman 358; 14. Olathe North 366; 15. Dodge City 367; 16. Salina Central 381; 17. Hayden 392; 18. Lawrence 408; 19. Junction City 453.

FSHS results: T18. Reece Gray 82; 40. Jack Randall 86; T47. Jackson McMillan 88; T53. Cameron Packard 89; T53. Nate Pilakowski 89.

LHS results: T53. Gunnar Wayenberg 89; T84. Dallas Ostronic 103; 91. Mike Williams 107; 93. Austin Pennybaker 109; 95. Evan Liakos 111.