Firebirds fall short of state

FSHS tumbles in its first sub-state championship, 5-0

About a month ago after an 0-9 start, Free State appeared headed for still another dreadful high school softball season.

Bad beginning, encouraging finish.

The Firebirds, who had never won more than four games in a season during their first four years of existence, captured seven of their last 13, including the first Class 6A sub-state victory in school annals.

“If anything,” fifth-year coach Pam Pine said, “the girls figured out we had some talent and they got better every game and never gave up.”

Free State made Emporia its first sub-state victim by hanging on for a 3-2 triumph over the Spartans on Wednesday afternoon at Washburn Rural’s field.

Then after watching No. 1 seed Washburn Rural dispose of Junction City, 8-5, in the other first-rounder, the Firebirds bowed to the powerful Junior Blues, 5-0, on Wednesday evening to finish with a 7-15 record.

Ashley Wagner, a freshman, fueled the Firebirds’ one-run win over Emporia. Wagner went all the way on the mound, fanning six, and she drove in two runs with a pair of singles.

Still another freshman, shortstop Jamie Stanclift, also had two singles and drove in the other run.

Free State's Katrina Morriss, right, is comforted by teammate Felicia Freeman after striking out for the final out in the sub-state championship. The Firebirds downed Emporia before falling to Washburn Rural on Wednesday in Topeka.

“I think we have a lot to look forward to,” Pine said.

Free State managed only six singles off Emporia hurler Jessica Scott, but made the most of them. At the same time, the Spartans (6-15) squandered eight hits including a leadoff inside-the-park home run by outfielder Justine Way two triples and a double.

Way appeared to have stroked a game-tying double in the seventh inning, but Lacey Rodriguez, who was on first when Way slammed the ball into right-center field, pulled up about halfway between home plate and third base.

Free State catcher Kasey Asher fielded the throw from center fielder Lacey Baxter, gave chase and tagged Rodriguez before she could retreat to third base for the third out.

Against the potent Junior Blues (19-3), the Firebirds collected seven hits again all singles but couldn’t put them together against left-hander Teresa Bowden, Rural’s top pitcher (8-2). Free State had two singles in the fourth, but only one hit in every other frame except the sixth when the Firebirds went in order.

Meanwhile, Rural clipped Free State starter Felicia Freeman and Wagner, who relieved with one out in the fourth, for nine hits, including doubles by Sarah Morse and Amanda Carey, younger sister of Lisa Carey, a former All-Big 12 performer at Oklahoma.

Morse had three hits and two runs batted in. Carey had two hits and two RBIs.

“They have some very good hitters,” Pine said. “We threw everything we had at them.”

Most of everything Pine had was young. The Firebirds’ roster contained three seniors, a junior, four sophomores and three freshmen.

“They all gave 110 percent,” Pine said. “We aren’t a very verbal team, but the seniors really helped. They’ve been through a lot, and they showed a lot.”

The seniors second baseman Amy Vormehr, catcher Kasey Asher and left fielder Katrina Morriss never played on a team with a winning record.