After playing its first six games on the road, the Free State High softball team opened its home slate Friday afternoon with a doubleheader split against Shawnee Mission West at FSHS.

The Firebirds (4-4) blew a four-run lead and dropped Game One, 7-5, but responded with an all-around dominating performance in Game Two for a 6-0 victory.

“We’ve shown we have the potential to keep getting better,” Free State coach Pam Pine said. “The girls are starting to realize their roles, and I’m glad we got out of here with a win. We’re 4-4 now, and it’s the best start we’ve ever had.”

The Firebirds looked as if they would pick up a pair of victories after opening Game One with a bang. Jamie Stanclift sparked a two-out rally in the first inning with a single. Allie Hock singled, an Ashley Wagner double to right scored two runs, then Brooke Abney drilled an RBI single.

Free State pitcher Wagner allowed just one hit through the first three innings, but things started slipping away in the fourth when West’s Shelly Stevens crushed a three-run homer over the right-field wall.

Wagner walked three of the first four batters in the sixth inning, which led to three more runs for the Vikings (4-4). Each team added a run in the seventh.

The Firebirds capitalized on their hits in Game Two. Livi Abney led off with a bloop single to right, and later scored on a West throwing error.

That was all the offense Free State would need, because Felicia Freeman tossed a seven-hit masterpiece backed up by plenty of solid defense.

“They weren’t able to find any holes in our defense” Freeman said. “So I just told them to keep scoring and that would give some cushion for me. We always hit well. It’s just whether or not we can string them together.”

The Firebirds play host to Olathe North at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Free State High's Jamie Stanclift throws to first base for an out against Shawnee Mission West. The Firebirds split a doubleheader with SM West on Friday at Free State.