photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Hudson Hardesty celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

Two tag outs at home plate ended up being the difference in Lawrence’s 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday in an otherwise solid outing for the Lions.

Lawrence finished the game with nine hits and two walks but couldn’t bring enough runs home in the contest. In the later innings, there were two close calls at home plate that would’ve extended the game, but Lawrence coach Adam Green said that the team’s on-deck hitters have to do a better job of being the “home-plate coach.”

“The on-deck hitter has got to be able to communicate to someone trying to score, which is the most important 90 feet of the 360,” Green said. “Guys make mistakes, and we have to be able to learn from those mistakes. Unfortunately you hate to do that in a close ballgame like this.”

The Lawrence offense was headlined by first baseman Hudson Hardesty and right fielder Brady Wollesen, who both finished with two hits. Second baseman Logan Harris, left fielder Saylor Jackson, catcher Will Grimes, center fielder Jaxon Becker and designated hitter Jonah Stutler all recorded a hit.

“We got underneath some balls,” Green said. “I was really pleased with Hudson. He’s been hitting the ball hard, and it was good to see him drop some today.”

On the mound, Jonas Hohman pitched six innings and threw six strikeouts against seven hits and a walk. Green said Hohman is one of several Lions who have put in a lot of work behind the scenes over the years and are starting to shine on the field.

“He absolutely exceeded so many expectations and competed so well,” Green said. “He gave us a chance to stay in the game and compete with a good team. He’s got to command multiple pitches, and he did a masterful job of that today.

Lawrence retired the side in order to start the game, with Hohman throwing an opening strikeout, followed by a lineout to Jackson and a groundout to shortstop Gavin Taylor. The Lions took the lead in the bottom of the first after Hardesty singled with two outs and Wollesen’s single brought Hardesty home.

Olathe South took the lead back for good in the second inning. With one out, the Falcons hit two singles, and an error by Hohman allowed them to score. The Lions got the next two outs in the next two at-bats to keep the Falcons’ lead at one run.

Third baseman Brandt Edmonds reached first base after being hit by a pitch and advanced to third base on Becker’s single but was left stranded before getting home. Lawrence retired the side in order on three groundouts in the top of the third but again couldn’t bring anyone home in the bottom of the frame despite getting two runners on base. Harris started with a walk and advanced to second base on Jackson’s single, but a strikeout ended the inning.

Olathe South added to the lead in the fourth after starting with a leadoff double and getting an RBI single with one out. A strikeout and flyout kept the Falcons from adding more to the lead.

Lawrence nearly brought in a run in the bottom of the fourth but couldn’t get the runner home. After a strikeout to start, Stutler singled. Pinch runner Turner Juelsgaard came in for Stutler and reached second after Becker was walked. After a pickoff attempt at second base, Juelsgaard ran to third and home but didn’t get past the tag. A popout in the next at-bat ended the inning.

Olathe South didn’t score in the fifth despite a double and an error in back-to-back at-bats, and Lawrence managed to cut into the lead in the bottom of the frame. Hardesty started it with a leadoff triple and came home on Wollesen’s single in the next at-bat. The next two Lawrence batters were struck out, but Wollesen stole second in the time. Catcher Will Grimes singled to center field, and Wollesen tried to beat the throw home but was tagged out at the plate for the final out.

The Falcons pushed their lead back to two runs in the sixth after starting with two singles and a walk. The Lions didn’t get anyone on base and were struck out twice in the sixth, but Harrison Cobb stepped up to the mound for Lawrence in the seventh and helped the Lions retire the side in order.

Needing two runs to stay alive, Harris hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, but two pop outs in foul territory put the Lions in trouble. A final groundout to shortstop ended the game with the Lions losing 4-2.

“I was proud with the way we competed (with) pitching, defense,” Green said. “We have to be ready for Olathe East. Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. We have to make our way here.”

Lawrence will host Olathe East on Thursday before hitting the road to take on Blue Valley Northwest on Saturday.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Harrison Cobb walks off the field after a scoreless inning in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Jonas Hohman pitches in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pinch runner Turner Juelsgaard, left, goes to first base for designated hitter Jonah Stutler in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence designated hitter Jonah Stutler follows through on a swing in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence second baseman Logan Harris shuffles his feet in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pinch hitter Turner Juelsgaard attempts to jump around a tag in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Hudson Hardesty, left, high-fives center fielder Jaxon Becker after a run in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Hudson Hardesty touches home plate in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pinch runner Turner Juelsgaard rounds third base in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence center fielder Jaxon Becker tosses his bat to the side after a walk in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence second baseman Logan Harris slides safely back to first base in a 4-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Lawrence.