photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence catcher Will Grimes runs through first after an out in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

Things got out of hand quickly in Lawrence baseball’s 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday as the Lions were run-ruled in the second day of the River City Baseball Festival.

The Jaguars built an early, insurmountable lead against the Lions while holding the Lions to one hit across five innings.

“That’s what happens when you don’t have your best stuff against a really physical (team),” Lawrence coach Adam Green said. “I mean, they were barrel after barrel after barrel, one through nine. You’ve got to pitch down in the zone, and we didn’t. That’s what a good, physical, mature offensive approach will do to you if you aren’t locked in and focused.”

In the top of the first, the Jaguars brought in five runs and went through the lineup. They started with a leadoff single and a walk. A passed ball advanced the two runners, and a single brought in the first run. A single on the next at-bat brought two runners home, and a fourth single brought in the fourth run. The Jaguars got their fifth run late before the Lions got the final out.

Zaiden Ham threw five innings for the Jaguars and allowed five walks and one hit against one strikeout. Lawrence was able to consistently make contact with the ball but wasn’t able to get the ball out of the infield often, where the Jaguars made routine plays at first base.

The Lions were quickly retired in the bottom of the first, but shortstop Gavin Taylor did get on base on a walk. A double play on the following at-bat ended the inning.

The Jaguars started the second inning with a single that included two extra bases. A single on the next at-bat brought in the sixth run, one of four for Blue Springs South in the frame. A double brought in another run, and a groundout at first brought in the third run of the inning as well as the first out.

Following a strikeout for pitcher Brady Wollesen, the Jaguars got a walk and Max Hidalgo came in as the relief pitcher. A single in the first batter he faced brought in the ninth run, but Hidalgo threw a strikeout to end the top of the second.

Three quick groundouts for Lawrence brought up the third inning with the Lions still being held without a hit.

Hidalgo walked the leadoff hitter in the third, but a fielder’s choice to Taylor led to the first out at second base. Lawrence then caught a runner stealing for the second out before a groundout to first held the Jaguars scoreless in an inning for the first time.

Blue Springs South quickly retired the side in order and started the fourth with a leadoff triple. A single gave the Jaguars a 10-0 lead and put the Lions in danger of a run rule.

Another single brought in the 11th run with no outs, leading to Jadin Harrell coming to the mound for the Lions. He struck out his first batter, and a flyout right after gave the Lions their second out. The Jaguars scored on a wild pitch, but a popout put the Lions back at the plate.

Taylor earned his second walk with one out in the bottom of the fourth, and first baseman Hudson Hardesty walked right after. A fielder’s choice for left fielder Saylor Jackson loaded the bases with two outs, but a strikeout ended the fourth inning without a run.

Harrell stayed on the mound for the fifth inning and gave up one hit before the defense got the infield outs. He finished with only one hit allowed with one strikeout in two innings of work.

“He gave us some good innings,” Green said of Harrell, who threw for the first time this season. “He’s a good left-handed arm, a good kid who took fourth in state wrestling. We’re incorporating him back into the baseball world, and we’re excited to see what he can offer us going forward.”

Needing three runs to stay alive, Lawrence got catcher Will Grimes and third baseman Brandt Edmonds on base with walks before the Jaguars ended the game with three outs.

Lawrence will wrap up the River City Baseball Festival on Saturday against Arkansas City.

“We play tomorrow,” Green said. “We can’t let this linger into tomorrow. We have to show up at 7 a.m. at our place, and we have to play.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Max Hidalgo throws in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence shortstop Gavin Taylor watches the pitcher in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence shortstop Gavin Taylor throws his bat after a walk in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Max Hidalgo runs to first in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Brady Wollesen runs to first in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Hudson Hardesty grabs a ground ball in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Brady Wollesen throws in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Hudson Hardesty catches an infield pop fly in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence center fielder Jaxon Becker throws to the infield after an out in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Jadin Harrell throws in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence third baseman Brandt Edmonds rounds toward first base in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence second baseman Logan Harris throws to the infield in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence center fielder Jaxon Becker bunts in a 12-0 loss to Blue Springs South on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Hoglund Ballpark.