Firebirds extend streak – Free State 11, Grandview, Mo. 1

It’s unlikely that Grandview (Mo.) High’s baseball team was expecting to face a murderer’s row against Free State.

But that’s exactly what it got.

The top four hitters in the Firebird lineup were fabulous Friday, going a combined 9-for-11 with a home run, three triples, five stolen bases and six RBIs. Not surprisingly, the Firebirds rolled to an 11-1 victory at Hoglund Ballpark in the second day of the River City Baseball Festival.

The Firebirds remained perfect with a 7-0 record. And if the top of the order keeps producing like it did Friday, that zero might stay in the loss column for quite some time.

“We’re happy with the win,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said. “We swung the bats well. One through four, we were really good tonight.”

No kidding. Leadoff hitter David Allen was 3-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored. Behind him was freshman Robby Price, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI single and a run scored. Senior Matt Berner went 3-for-3 with a triple, three runs scored and two RBIs, and junior Ryne Price rounded out the quartet by smoking a two-run homer in the first inning, being walked intentionally in the second, and then drilling an RBI triple in the third.

And don’t forget the combined five stolen bases between the four.

Really, the only thing that could stop the Firebirds Friday was the 10-run mercy rule, put into effect after the top of the fifth inning.

It wasn’t just the offense, either.

“The pitching and defense was good, too,” Hill said. “All three facets. If you hold any team to one run, you’ve got to be happy, and we are.”

Free State High's Matt Berner slides under the tag of Grandview, Mo., catcher Brian Pickett. The Firebirds won, 11-1 Friday night at Hoglund Ballpark. The River City Festival continues today when Free State plays Winnetonka of Gladstone, Mo., at 1 p.m. at Hoglund.

Firebird senior pitcher Nate Burman was solid for the most part, but the only run Grandview scored came from his temporary loss of control. In the third inning, the Bulldogs’ Nico Mitchell walked, went to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on another wild pitch.

Otherwise, Burman did his job. He pitched three innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three for the victory.

“He struggled a little bit with his control,” Hill said. “His forte is throwing strikes. It wasn’t his best outing, but he left giving up one run. You can’t complain about that.”

Senior Zach Puckett added a two-run single out of the nine-spot for Free State, but the offense was, overall, extremely top-heavy.

Free State tries to make it eight in a row against Gladstone (Mo.) Winnetonka at 1 p.m. today at Hoglund Ballpark, concluding its schedule in the River City Baseball Festival.

Free State High's Robby Price slides safely into second under Grandview (Mo.) High's Nico Mitchell. The Firebirds defeated the Bulldogs 11-1 Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.

“We have to play better every time out,” Hill said, “but we’re really happy with where we’re at right now.”

Free State 11, Grandview 1

Grandview 001 00 — 1 4 1

Free State 335 0X — 11 12 0

W– Nate Burman. L– Michael Brucks.

2B– FS: Tyler Blankenship. 3B– FS: David Allen, Matt Berner, Ryne Price. HR– FS: Ryne Price.

FSHS Highlights: David Allen 3-for-3, 3B, 3 R; Matt Berner 3-for-3, 3B, 2 RBI; Ryne Price 2-for-2, HR, 3B, 3 RBI.