photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

The Lawrence baseball team celebrates with pitcher Hudson Hardesty as he comes off the field in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

The Lawrence Lions entered Monday’s game against Gardner Edgerton on a seven-game skid, scoring just three or fewer runs in each of those games.

It became crucial for the team to focus on one game at a time and continue practicing and working within their routine. The season is much longer than seven games, and the team knew it. Their diligence and work habits paid off, as they won 4-3 over the Blazers, ending their seven-game losing streak and moving to 6-8 on the season.

“We just had to wipe out all those other games and play it like it’s 0-0 and the start of the season,” Logan Harris said. “We just had to keep battling.”

“Baseball can be a cruel son-of-a-gun,” Lawrence coach Adam Green said. “We got a nice taste of that over the last seven games. I couldn’t be more proud of how we continued… whether we win or lose, it doesn’t change what we do.”

Lawrence started with Logan Sheldon on the mound, and he threw four innings with only four hits allowed and one earned run. He threw two walks against a strikeout. The one run came in the top of the first when the Blazers started with three hits in four at-bats. Sheldon threw the strikeout for the third out after the run.

Sheldon, a senior, has provided a steady arm for the Lions. As a pitcher, he’s best when forcing batters to hit to his defense. He’s been making the most of his final year.

“I definitely want to win every game and play as hard as I can,” Sheldon said.

At the plate, the Lions managed one runner on base with Ethan Curry’s walk. The Lions retired the side in the top of the second on six pitches. Harris walked in the bottom of the second and was the only Lion to reach first base in the inning. The Blazers got two walks but no hits in the top of the third, and the Lions didn’t get anyone on base in the bottom of the inning.

The Lions put three of the first four batters out for Sheldon’s final inning on the mound.

“The kid has done nothing but come in and be an effective arm for us,” Green said. “He’s a competitor. He’s as big a part of that win as anybody. He gave us four innings of one-run ball.”

Lawrence’s offense found its spark in the fourth inning with four runs. Tristan Prier started with a walk, and Brady Wollesen got another walk after a strikeout. A groundout brought Harris to the plate with two outs, and he swung on the second pitch for a two-RBI single that gave the Lions the lead.

Harris, who splits time between varsity and JV, has earned a spot in the lineup in the last six games, and he’s been trying to make the most of each moment and enjoy his time on the field. He finished with a hit and a walk in three plate appearances.

“Any (at-bat) could be my last, so I want to make the most of it and have the most fun with the team,” Harris said.

Harris provided an emotional spark with his hit as he turned to his dugout following his single and celebrated. When he touched home plate, he celebrated loudly with his team again.

“He loves the game. He loves to perfect his craft,” Green said. “He’s feisty, he’s got some tools, and he’s come up with some big hits for us. He’s earning his time.”

Sheldon followed up Harris’s single with another, and Josh Galbreath brought them both home with a double. Galbreath was thrown out as he ran toward third, bringing the third out of the inning.

“You could say Galbreath’s hit was the difference in the game,” Green said.

Hudson Hardesty came in to throw the final three innings. He started with two strikeouts in the top of the fifth while the Lions retired the side in the first three batters. The two pitchers work well together, providing different pitching styles that keep opposing teams on their toes.

“My (velocity) works well with (Sheldon),” Hardesty said. “I can throw my fastball when I get in the game, and that worked well.”

The Lions brought two runners on base with a walk and a hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the fifth, but a fielder’s choice ended the inning.

Gardner Edgerton closed the Lawrence lead with two runs in the sixth inning, but two outs in the next two at-bats ended the inning with the Lions holding their lead by a run. Sheldon was the only Lion to get on base in the sixth with a single but was picked off to end the inning.

Hardesty threw two strikeouts in the top of the sixth, with Prier catching a pop fly for the final out to give the Lions the 4-3 win.

Hardesty finished with two hits in three innings with five strikeouts. He threw 33 pitches in his three innings and faced 12 batters.

“He’s a young kid, but he doesn’t play like a young kid,” Green said. “He’s a polished player. He’s used to executing in competitive environments. We expect that out of Hudson.”

Green said the Lions have six hours to enjoy this win before it’s back to business. The Lions host Deer Creek (Oklahoma) on Thursday and have two more home games on Friday and Saturday. While the team isn’t letting themselves get complacent from the win, it is hoping to use it as momentum going forward.

“We’ve got to stay together as a team and keep playing together, and good things will happen,” Hardesty said.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence left fielder Tristan Prier lifts pitcher Logan Sheldon up after a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence left fielder Tristan Prier runs to first in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence third baseman Ethan Curry chats with his first base coach after a walk in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence second baseman Logan Harris runs back to first to avoid a pickoff in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence right fielder Brady Wollesen slides home safe in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence hitter Nate Kress hits a ground ball in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence second baseman Logan Harris celebrates with his team after making a play on defense in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Hudson Hardesty throws a pitch in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence right fielder Brady Wollesen claps while running to first base after a walk in a 4-3 win over Gardner Edgerton on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Lawrence.