photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Julia Norris, middle, and second baseman Keira Norris walk off the field together in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

Lawrence softball just couldn’t turn in hits, and a late push wasn’t enough in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West at home on Friday.

“We really haven’t swung the bats well all year,” Lawrence coach Michael Byrn said. “Maybe we have to change our approach, do bunts, squeeze, something. We’re not getting runs.”

Blue Valley West took the lead in the opening inning, which started with a leadoff single. After a fielder’s choice, the Jaguars scored on a groundout. The Jaguars got a second single, but a popout in the next at-bat put the Lions at the plate.

Lawrence started with walks from shortstop Zoey Barber and center fielder Lucy Juelsgaard. Both runners advanced in the following at-bat during a groundout, and first baseman Brae Jones loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. But the Jaguars closed the inning with the next two outs, leaving three runners stranded.

“We had a chance to make a statement, and we couldn’t,” Byrn said.

Lawrence pitcher Julia Norris threw a strikeout in the top of the second as the Lions retired the side in order. Back at the plate, the Lions weren’t able to get a runner on base with three quick outs.

The Jaguars got two runs in the top of the third to extend their lead. After a leadoff flyout to center field, the Jaguars hit two singles. A groundout advanced the runners, and an error to left field brought them both home. Norris threw her second strikeout to close the half inning.

Byrn was pleased with the pitching in the game, which has been a strength of the team all season.

“Keira and Julia are keeping us in games,” Byrn said. “They’re as good of teammates as you can have. They come out and grind… our pitchers have been fantastic.”

Norris threw seven innings on Friday and allowed nine hits and one walk while throwing three strikeouts. Only three of the five runs from Blue Valley West were earned.

“I felt like I had really good backup, and that helped me stay in the game,” Norris said.

Barber singled to start the bottom of the third, but the next three batters were all retired. Lawrence returned the favor in the top of the fourth by quickly retiring the side in order, but Lawrence again wasn’t able to get a runner on base in the bottom of the inning.

Neither team scored in the fifth, but the Jaguars managed two singles. In the sixth, the Jaguars got the first three runners on base with a walk and two singles, the latter bringing in a run. After a flyout, the Jaguars brought in their fifth run on a groundout.

Jones got on base after being hit by a pitch in the sixth but was the only Lion to reach first. The Jaguars doubled in the top of the seventh, but a groundout closed it out.

Needing five runs to tie the game, Norris started the bottom of the seventh with a walk. Left fielder Rylee Muths singled and brought courtesy runner Lucy Godfrey home to get the Lions on the board. Third baseman Zarah Molina singled with one out, which put Muths at third. And Juelsgaard reached on an error that brought two runners home with two outs. But a flyout in the following at-bat ended the game, with the Lions two runs shy of continuing the game.

“We never give up, and we cheer our team on really well,” Norris said. “When one person gets a hit, the next person keeps fighting, and we build on that.”

Lawrence will be at home on Monday to host Shawnee Mission Northwest at 4 p.m. before taking on Olathe Northwest on the road on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Byrn said both teams are similar to the Lions and are opportunities to get wins and some confidence for the team.

“We’re going to keep grinding and scratch out a win here,” Byrn said. “We’re not going to go 1-24. The goal when you’re young is to be close to 500, and we’re getting further and further away from that if we can’t scratch out wins against teams we’re like.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence coach Mike Byrn speaks with center fielder Lucy Juelsgaard, left, and designated hitter Violet Koehn in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence second baseman Keira Norris swings at a pitch in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence catcher Addie Foley runs to first base in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence left fielder Kate Neilson runs to first base in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence third baseman Zarah Molina stands at the base in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence shortstop Zoey Barber watches a flyout for the third out after crossing home plate in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence shortstop Zoey Barber stands in the batter’s box in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence designated hitter Violet Koehn swings on a pitch in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Julia Norris pitches in a 5-3 loss to Blue Valley West on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Lawrence.