Big inning by Maize ends Lancers’ remarkable softball season

A seven-run fourth inning spelled doom for the SM East softball team Saturday in its first appearance in the state 6A tournament in seven years.

The Lancers had taken a one-run lead in the top of the fourth before top-seeded Maize’s bats came alive in the bottom of the inning. The Lancers held Maize scoreless the rest of the game, and managed to piece together a two-run fifth inning and add another run in the seventh — but couldn’t overcome the deficit. They lost 8-6.

Maize went on to lose to Olathe South in a game later Saturday. Olathe South lost to eventual state champion Olathe East in the title game.