photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence center fielder Lucy Juelsgaard smiles after safely reaching first on a bunt in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

Lawrence softball’s offense went cold after the first inning as the Lions lost 8-2 to Olathe South on Tuesday.

Lawrence coach Michael Byrn was pleased with the team’s approach in the first inning, which led to the Lions scoring two runs on five hits, but a change in the team’s approach at the plate after the inning led to a missed opportunity in the loss.

“We changed… it was still the same curveball,” Byrn said. “Young hitters get some hits, and all of a sudden you’re greedy. You want more, and we didn’t settle.”

The Falcons started the game with a home run on the third pitch of the game, but the Lawrence defense finished the inning well and got three outs in the next four at-bats.

Keira Norris started in the circle for the Lions and threw seven innings with eight strikeouts against 11 hits allowed. Of Lawrence’s eight runs allowed, only three were earned.

Second baseman Zoey Barber started with a leadoff double, and left fielder Julia Norris’s double in the following at-bat brought Barber home. Catcher Addie Foley grounded out to first, but Norris scored on the play for the second run. First baseman Brae Jones, center fielder Lucy Juelsgaard and outfielder Kate Neilson all singled in order to load the bases, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning with all three runners on base.

“We missed a huge opportunity to put some distance on them and get comfortable in the game,” Byrn said.

Lawrence retired the side in order in the top of the second, but the Falcons did the same to the Lions in the bottom of the inning. The Falcons got one on base with a two-out single but left the runner stranded in the third. Foley started with a single in the bottom of the third, but the Lions didn’t get anyone else on base.

The Falcons tied it up in the top of the fourth after getting the first two runners on base with a double and a walk. An unsuccessful pickoff attempt at second base led to a runner stealing home plate. The Lions got the next two outs to close the half inning with just the one run allowed. Neilson got her second single of the game in the bottom of the fourth, but the next three Lawrence batters struck out.

Olathe South poured on the runs in the fifth, starting with an error to start the frame and two singles, the latter of which brought home a run. A second error scored two runs with one out, and the third single of the game scored another run. The Falcons scored their fifth run by scoring on a passed ball during the final strikeout of the top of the fifth.

“They found a way to put balls in play,” Byrn said of the Falcons. “They did a great job hitting some balls that weren’t strikes. We missed those opportunities, where they took advantage of them.”

Lawrence put two runners on base in the fifth with Foley doubling and Jones singling with two outs, but a flyout closed the frame. The two, along with Neilson, were the lone Lions to record multiple hits. In total, the Lions finished with 10 hits with one walk against 11 strikeouts.

Olathe South scored its final run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly, but the Lions retired the Falcons with two runners stranded on base. Shortstop Zarah Molina tripled in the sixth, but no other Lions got on base.

Molina has stepped up into her role in the middle infield and has secured her spot with the team.

“She’s going to be (at shortstop) all four years, unless somebody comes in,” Byrn said. “She makes us better because I think Zoey is so much more comfortable at second base. With Zoey in the middle with Zarah, it allows them to be comfortable.”

In the seventh inning, the Falcons got a single and a walk before the Lions retired the side, and Julia Norris was the lone Lion to get on base with a walk before the Falcons got the third out to win the game.

“We try, we just sometimes can’t get out of our own way,” Byrn said. “We have to come back and get better tomorrow.”

Lawrence will be at Mill Valley on Thursday before competing in a tournament in Emporia over the weekend as the end of the regular season looms closer.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence’s Kate Neilson prepares to run at second base in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence left fielder Julia Norris gets under a fly ball in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Keira Norris throws in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Keira Norris begins her pitch in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence center fielder Lucy Juelsgaard runs to first on a bunt in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Brae Jones swings in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence catcher Addie Foley runs to first in an 8-2 loss to Olathe South on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Lawrence.