There’s nothing like a massive home run to kick off a big inning and end a run-scoring slump.

Free State High junior Ryne Price provided the shot — a solo homer to open the bottom of the fifth inning — and the Firebirds followed suit, exploding for nine runs in the inning en route to an 11-1 win Thursday against Blue Valley North at FSHS Field.

“We have been in somewhat of a slump offensively, leaving a lot of runners on base,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said. “You need good players to spark you and he is that. He crushed that ball.”

FSHS (16-3) needed the inning against BV North (5-14) in a big way.

Coming off a 7-6 loss Wednesday night against Shawnee Mission West, the Firebirds struggled early, managing just four hits in the first four innings against the Cougars’ Drew Ising. Ising wasn’t overpowering, but was effective with a variety of off-speed pitches.

“We should’ve been playing a lot better in the first innings,” FSHS senior David Allen said. “He just kept us off-balance.”

That’s what happens when a team adjusts to a pitcher that doesn’t throw hard.

“It shouldn’t (affect us),” Hill said. “But at times, it does. And that’s all the credit to their pitcher. He was effective with his off-speed stuff and we didn’t do a good job of keeping our hands back.”

After Price lit into one of those pitches, though, it was on. FSHS ripped off nine straight runs on six hits, a walk, a hit batsman and an error.

Free State's Tyler Blankenship slides under Blue Valley North's Eric Schultz as Blankenship crosses home plate. The Firebirds ripped the Mustangs, 11-1, Thursday at FSHS Field.

Half of the hits were mashed, too. Senior Matt Lane blasted a ground-rule double, Allen ripped a bases-loaded triple off the wall in left-center, and Price looked like he was going to smash another homer in the inning, but settled for a triple that ricocheted off the left-field wall.

“That’s the way we’ve been hitting most of the year,” Hill said. “It’s good to see that before regionals start.”

First, the Firebirds have to finish a postponed game with intracity rival Lawrence High at 5 p.m. today at Ice Field. The two teams shared the Sunflower League title with a 7-3 record — after FSHS mistakenly was told it won the title outright Wednesday night.

Today’s matchup isn’t a league game, but if the Lions (15-4) win, the two teams will be tied for the No. 2 seed in their Class 6A regional. If that happens, a coin flip will determine who receives the higher seed and plays host to next week’s regional tournament.

“We’re both deserving,” Hill said. “But you hate to have the flip of a coin determine seeding. It would be great if we can take care of business and avoid that situation.”

Free State 11, Blue Valley North 1

BV North 000 010 — 1 8 4

Free State high pitcher Blake Dickson hurls a pitch against Blue Valley North. The Firebirds ripped the Mustangs, 11-1, Thursday at FSHS Field.

Free State 010 091 — 11 12 0

W–Blake Dickson (6-2). L–Drew Ising.

2B–FSHS: Matt Lane. 3B–FSHS: Ryne Price, David Allen. HR–FSHS: Price.

FSHS highlights: Allen 2-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs; Ryne Price 2-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Robby Price 4-for-5, 2 RBIs; Chris Coleman 1-for-3, RBI.

FSHS record: 16-3. Next: Today against Lawrence High at Ice Field.