photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence third baseman Maddy Crawford fields a ground ball in a 7-2 win over St. James Academy in Lawrence on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Over the last few seasons, the Lawrence softball team has worked to build a winning program culture. This year, the Lions feel they’ve got a good thing going.

“I think we’re going to be really good defensively, and if we adjust at the plate, the ceiling is going to be very high this year,” coach Mike Byrn said. “This is my first time saying that in my three years here.”

The Lions started the season 3-0 and are coming off two wins over Manhattan on the road. The Lions won 10-0 on Friday after beginning with a five-run first inning, while pitcher Keira Norris threw 11 strikeouts against a hit in seven innings. The next day, the Lions won 15-6 with a seven-run fifth inning. Lydia Folks hit two home runs in the game, and Maddy Crawford hit a third.

Those victories came after a 7-2 season-opening win in Lawrence over St. James Academy.

The Lions have five seniors on the team, four of whom have played varsity for Byrn since he took the job in 2023. Crawford, Harper Dye, Folks and Lillian Spinelli are what Byrn calls “the big four.” He credits them for their leadership in helping change the culture of the program and raising expectations. Crawford said the team can look at any game and expect to win, which hadn’t always been the case.

“I think just changing the LHS softball culture and expectation that we can win every game and make it far,” Dye added. “We haven’t had the best past program seasons, but that’s looking really up this year, and hopefully, that expectation to win plays out for us.”

While the Lions’ culture is a huge help in their success, the team also has some athleticism and skill to win games. Many of the Lions are multi-sport athletes, which helps them be athletic on the field and conform to different positions. One of the best attributes the team has is its ability to have several players perform in different roles. Dye said everybody is a utility player, so the lineup can shift and move around to whatever the team needs.

“We don’t have a ton of super high-level kids going D-I, but we do have a lot of athleticism, which means if somebody is gone, we have somebody who can fill that spot,” Dye said. “It is really good to have, and it helps us compete against those really good teams.”

Aside from the seniors who have been with the team for a while or juniors like pitcher Keira Norris, the Lions have a strong group of freshmen who can contribute immediately. Among them is Zoey Barber, who has six hits in her first three games this season. Aside from a big bat in the No. 2 hole, Barber is a high-energy teammate who fits in well with the group. She’s also a utility player the team can rely on in different places.

“She’s adding a lot of energy and brings a lot as a player,” Dye said. “I trust her a lot as a freshman. Playing in the middle with her … that’s a lot of stress to play shortstop and second (base). I’m excited to build our relationship.”

Byrn likes the team’s athleticism, but he’s more focused on the fundamentals. Having success in making the routine, fundamental plays is one of the biggest parts of the new culture the team is trying to set. So far, the team has shown the ability to do so.

“Athletes are going to make great plays … I want you to make the everyday play,” Byrn said. “Make the 99% play that’s right in front of you. We spend a lot of time on fundamental drills.”

The older players on the team, like Dye, understand Byrn’s expectations and can help the younger players learn what is required of them and how to play the way the team is intending to play. The hope is that they leave Lawrence with a standard that the next iteration of Lions can keep at that level for the future as the Lions continue to stack successful seasons and growth.

“He has very high expectations, and they’re catching on well,” Crawford said. “I think they’re going to be really good when we leave and be able to carry on when we leave.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman second baseman Zoey Barber hits a home run in a 7-2 win over St. James Academy in Lawrence on Thursday, March 27, 2025.