A strong finish by junior starting pitcher Elsa Carrillo in the final two frames led the Free State softball team past Mill Valley 7-1 on Thursday night. The road win snaps a three-game losing skid for the Lady Firebirds (5-7).

Carrillo went a full seven innings, allowing just a single run on nine hits, a walk and five strikeouts.

Senior Megan Kohl (3-for-4) had a field day at the plate with two RBIs and a home run. Additional run support came from senior Alena Velilla (2-for-4, RBI), and juniors Grace Rothwell (2-for-3, RBI) and Cydnee Price (0-for-3, RBI).

Kohl and fellow seniors Leah Mueller (1-for-4) and Maddie McIntire each finished with a double against the Jaguars.

Free State travels to Bonner Springs on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.

O-East cruises past LHS baseball

The Lawrence High baseball team dropped its road trip to Olathe East, 15-3 by mercy rule, on Thursday afternoon at 3&2 Baseball Complex.

Junior starter Brooks Jones allowed all 13 runs on four hits, eight walks and three strikeouts through just 3.2 innings on the hill. Trailing 5-3 entering the fourth, Jones and LHS (5-6) gave up 10 runs, placing the game out of reach.

All three of LHS’ runs came in the third on RBIs by Jones (1-for-2), senior Dominic Ostronic (1-for-3) and junior Sammy Stoll (1-for-2). Jones, Stoll and junior Tyson Grammer (1-for-3) all registered doubles in Thursday’s game.

Next up, LHS travels to Shawnee Mission West on Saturday at noon.

Free State baseball falls short at O-West

The Free State baseball team fell short at Olathe West 3-1 on Thursday night. Scoring just once in the top of the sixth, the Firebirds (11-2) struggled to make a dent in the Owls’ early three-run lead all game long.

Junior pitcher Tyler Jeffries got the starting nod, allowing three runs on six hits, two walks and a strikeout through just two innings on the mound.

Senior Adam Coup relieved Jeffries in the third, allowing just three more hits by O-West on a walk and five strikeouts. With Coup slowing down the O-West bats, Free State scored just once in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by freshman Ben Graves (1-for-3).

Aside from Graves’ lone RBI hit, sophomores Ryan Weishaar (1-for-3) and Andrew Zimmerschied (1-for-3) were the only other Firebirds with any success at the plate through seven innings.

Free State hosts Mill Valley on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

LHS softball overpowered at Olathe South

The Lawrence High softball team couldn’t keep up at Olathe South, falling 10-0 on Thursday afternoon. The Falcons scored eight runs in the first, and LHS (4-8) never recovered.

Freshman Sophie Rowley got the start but didn’t even finish the first inning. She allowed eight runs on four hits and two walks. Junior Taylor Zeckser stepped in for Rowley later in the first and allowed two more runs — one in the second and one in the third — on five hits, a walk, and a strikeout through 3.1 innings.

Just two Lady Lions, seniors Emme Dye (1-for-2, 2B) and Maelee Folks (1-for-1), posted hits. O-South held LHS silent heading into the fifth and won the contest by mercy rule.

LHS travels to Shawnee Heights for a doubleheader on Friday. The first game starts at 4:15 p.m. and the second is slated for 6:15 p.m.