The Lawrence High softball team beat Shawnee Mission Northwest 14-7 on the road on Tuesday, recording 13 hits and just one error.

SM Northwest took an early 1-0 lead, but it didn’t last long. The Lions (1-2) jumped out to a seven-run lead by the end of the fourth. And although SM Northwest was able to trim LHS’ lead to two runs by the end of the sixth, LHS rattled off five more runs in the final inning to ensure the win.

Freshman starter Sophie Rowley allowed just one hit and three runs through 4.7 innings and finished with five strikeouts and five walks. Senior closer Maelee Folks finished with three hits, four runs, two walks and four strikeouts through 2.1 innings.

At bat, sophomore Maddie Crawford went 3-for-5 with a home run and an RBI on her stat line. Senior Emme Dye added two more RBIs and sophomore Harper Dye recorded a triple.

On Thursday, LHS hosts its home opener against Shawnee Mission South at 5:30 p.m.

Free State softball passes O-Northwest

The Free State softball team bested Olathe Northwest 9-6 on the road Tuesday night.

By the start of the third, the Firebirds (1-0) had a 5-0 lead, but the Ravens scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to trim Free State’s advantage to just one run. Free State held down O-Northwest from there, though, allowing just one more run by the Ravens and adding three more of its own.

Junior starter Grace Rothwell allowed four runs on three hits, finishing 4.1 innings with a strikeout and no walks. Senior Leah Mueller racked up three RBIs and went 2-for-4 at the plate. Additional RBIs came from juniors Megan Kohl (1-for-2), Elsa Carrillo (1-for-4) and Bailey Smith (0-for-3) and senior Isabella Smith (1-for-3).

Free State hosts its home opener against Shawnee Mission North at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Free State, LHS baseball both lose on the road

The Free State and Lawrence High baseball teams both lost for the first time this season on the road on Tuesday night.

The Firebirds (2-1) were routed 9-3 by Olathe South and finished the day with five total hits and three errors. O-South jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first and leading by five runs heading into the fifth. All three of Free State’s runs happened in the fifth inning; they were scored by freshman Ben Graves, senior Brady Kern and senior Michael Lickert.

Senior starter Tyler Vigna recorded two strikeouts through five innings for Free State. He gave up six hits, six runs, three walks and a home run.

The Lions (2-1) were shut out by Olathe North, 10-0, and they had just two hits, from senior Nathan Blettner and junior Connor Nowak. After the first three innings, O-North led 4-0, and it then rattled off five runs in the fourth and one more run in the fifth.

On the mound, junior LHS starter Vaughn Wells gave up nine runs and two walks and struck out two batters through four innings.

Up next, Free State will host Harrisburg at 4 p.m. Saturday, and LHS will host Shawnee Mission South at 5:30 p.m. Friday.