Matt Lane wasn’t perfect Tuesday, but that didn’t matter — Free State High’s baseball team still is.

The Firebirds improved to 11-0 after beating Leavenworth, 4-1, Tuesday at FSHS Field. Lane (5-0) picked up the complete-game victory and kept his unbeaten record intact as well.

Lane never dominated, but was never in trouble, either, allowing six hits and striking out four in seven innings.

“He didn’t have his best stuff,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said. “But a good pitcher will find a way to win anyway, without his best stuff. That’s the difference between a pitcher and thrower.”

It helps that FSHS, Class 6A’s top-ranked team, came through in clutch situations, including a couple of sacrifice flies that gave Lane more than enough run support.

“There’s so much confidence with our team right now, all I have to do is get up there and throw strikes,” Lane said. “That’s what I’ve been doing all year. Our defense and offense have taken care of everything else.”

Leavenworth (4-4) scored first, capitalizing on a two-out single from senior center fielder James Singleton in the third inning. He scored two batters later on a single from senior designated hitter John Brommel — but that was the only time a Pioneer got past second base.

FSHS responded with two runs in the bottom of the third, as senior left fielder David Allen doubled into right-center. Freshman second baseman Robby Price followed with a single, and Allen scored on a Leavenworth error.

Junior catcher Ryne Price’s single scored Robby Price, and the Firebirds never trailed again.

They added runs in the fifth — Ryne Price opened with a triple, and senior designated hitter Chris Coleman got the RBI with a sacrifice fly — and the sixth. Junior third baseman Tyler Blankenship led off with a double, senior center fielder Zach Puckett moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt, and Blankenship scored on Allen’s sacrifice fly.

Free State High pitcher Matt Lane delivers during the Firebirds' 4-1 victory over Leavenworth. Lane allowed a run off six hits in the complete-game win Tuesday at the FSHS field.

“Leavenworth’s a good ball club,” Hill said. “To win this one is a big deal.”

It was the Firebirds’ third Sunflower League win. They will play host to Shawnee Mission East at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Considering four league teams are ranked by the Kansas Baseball Coaches Assn., playing several game before league play started has turned out to be a boon.

Free State's Matt Berner throws to first. The Firebirds beat Leavenworth Tuesday at FSHS.

“We knew the first half of the season was important to get our confidence going,” Lane said. “It’s nice to get on a roll when you head into league play.”

Hill couldn’t agree more.

“Any team in the Sunflower League can compete,” he said. “In this league, if you don’t have your best stuff, you will get beat.”

Free State 4, Leavenworth 1

LHS 001 000 0 — 16 3

FSHS 002 011 x — 4 7 2

W — Matt Lane (5-0); L — Glen Lemke.

2B — FSHS: David Allen; Tyler Blankenship. 3B — FSHS: Ryne Price.

FSHS highlights: Allen 2-for-3, RBI, run; Ryne Price 3-for-3, RBI; Lane complete game, six hits, four strikeouts, no earned runs.

FSHS record: 11-0. Next: Thursday vs. Shawnee Mission East at FSHS.