Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State players celebrate with the 6A regional championship trophy after the Firebirds clinched a trip to state for the eighth straight season.
Free State baseball flexed its juggernaut status with a 15-0 run-rule pummeling of Topeka High in Tuesday’s regional championship game.
With the victory, the Firebirds advance to the state tournament for the eighth straight season and for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. Free State, the defending 6A state champs, advanced to the state quarterfinals on May 25-26, with the location determined after all regional tournaments for baseball are concluded this week.
The Firebirds plated four runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by Finn Moore’s run-scoring triple. Free State then tacked four more in the second, sparked by Ryker Mahnke’s RBI-double to right field for a 5-0 lead.
A pair of balks scoring runners from third and a passed ball that plated a run handed the Firebirds an 8-0 lead.
Free State (24-4) put the contest on ice with a seven-run third, capped off by senior Karson Bowers’ RBI-single to left field for the game’s 15th run.
In addition to sealing the victory, Bowers’ shot to left field also earned him his first hit this year, something that had eluded Bowers until his 10th at-bat of the season.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State’s Karson Bowers hits the ball to left field during the third inning of the team’s 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
At the dish, Zane Shaw went 2 of 2 with two RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Moore was 1 of 2 with three runs scored and an RBI. Mahnke chipped in a hit, three runs, an RBI, and a stolen base — while Owen Lester added two runs, two RBI, and a stolen base.
Free State shortstop Ben Graves, who has won a regional championship in all four seasons with the club, said the feeling never gets old. He added that the team seems to be peaking at the perfect time.
“We’re scoring a lot of runs, so we’re hoping to carry that momentum into the state tournament,” he said. “If we’re able to bring that energy and focus into next week, we’re going to have a lot of success and hopefully win another championship.”
Free State starter Nathan Young notched the victory, striking out five while retiring all nine hitters he faced. In making quick work of Topeka High, Young threw 26 of 38 pitches for strikes.
Young said that he executed a game plan centered on pounding the strike zone.
“We knew the offense was going to score, so I just had to trust the defense behind me and throw strikes,” he said. “My curveball and fastball were working, and I was able to trust my pitches and get quick work done.”
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State players rush the field to celebrate the final run in the team’s 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
Over the past two contests, Young and Free State ace Shaw combined for 18 strikeouts, while allowing just one hit over eight combined innings of work.
Young noted that he views himself as the team’s “second ace.”
“There’s nothing that kid can’t do,” Young said of Shaw. “Even though he’s going to strike guys out, I’m also going to get quick work done.”
Bowers, who has played a reserve role for the Firebirds, was ready when his number was called upon as a pinch-hitter in the third inning. Bowers said he’s remained mentally prepared for moments like that.
“Coach Hill has always told me that it’s one pitch away (from entering a game),” Bowers said, “and always have yourself ready.
“I come into practice and try to work pretty hard to keep myself in shape.”
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State’s Ben Graves starts to tackle Karson Bowers after the team’s 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
Bowers, who battled through injury during the football season, said the outlook is brighter on the diamond in comparison to what he experienced on the gridiron last fall.
“Football season ended pretty rough,” he said. “It was definitely heartbreaking knowing that we had much more potential than what we showed.
“Free State baseball and the legacy that we have, and what we know we should leave behind, I feel like is more important to me.”
The state quarterfinals will take place at one of the three state quarterfinal sites: Dean Evans Stadium in Salina, Trusler Sports Complex in Emporia, or the Blue Valley ANT-DAC Stadium in Overland Park.
Location will be decided based on the site’s proximity to higher seeds, unless the site is located more than 250 miles from the lower seed. In that case, the game will be played at whichever one of the other two sites is deemed centrally located, as determined by the Kansas State High School Activities Association.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State players begin to dogpile on top of Karson Bowers after the team’s 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State’s Zane Shaw (11) delivers a headbutt to a teammate as climbs to the top of a dogpile after the team’s 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State’s Karson Bowers smiles as the team celebrates its 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Free State baseball parents take photos of the team after its 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
The Free State baseball team poses for photos with the 6A regional championship trophy after the Firebirds’ 15-0 run-rule win over Topeka High during the 6A regional finals on May 19 at Free State High School in Lawrence.
