Free State High catcher Andy Petz joked he felt like a putz Thursday night.

While all the other Firebirds were coming up big with their bats in an 11-1 victory over Omaha (Neb.) Creighton Prep, Petz was hitless.

Free State High's Scott Heitshusen, left, is congratulated by teammate Robby Price after scoring a run. The Firebirds beat St. Louis Chaminade, 17-0, in a run-rule-shortened game Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.

But Friday, the sophomore made up for his shortage, smashing a three-run home run to center field which only was slowed down by the high wall at Hoglund Ballpark.

Petz’s swing was the hardest hit on a breezy night that featured the Firebirds spanking the ball in a 17-0 run-rule-shortened victory over St. Louis Chaminade Prep in the River City Baseball Festival.

“That was definitely one of the better hits I’ve had,” said Petz, whose squad smashed 15 hits in four innings. “I guess it came at a good time, too, with two men on.”

But even a solo shot would have supported Firebird hurler Jake Hoover, who tossed a no-hitter with five strikeouts in five innings.

“Jake’s numbers speak for themselves,” said Free State coach Mike Hill, whose team improved to 10-2 and will take on Springfield (Mo.) Hillcrest at 11:30 a.m. today at Hoglund. “Offensively, we swung the bats really well once again tonight.

6Sports video: Firebirds walk over Red Devils

“All season long, we’ve scored some runs,” Hill said. “But we haven’t stung the ball like we’re capable of by putting the ball in the gaps, and off the walls, and occasionally over the gates.

“We knew the potential was there, but I think we’ve steadily improved over the last couple of weeks, and obviously we’ve shown that the last couple of games.”

Several Firebirds recorded multiple hits Friday, but junior shortstop Robby Price was on fire — recording a 4-for-4 performance at the plate, including three runs and two doubles.

Free State High's Jake Hoover winds up for a pitch against St. Louis Chaminade Prep. Hoover didn't allow a hit in the Firebirds' 17-0 victory Friday night in the River City Baseball Festival at Hoglund Park.

“The beginning of the year, it was kind of slow where a couple of guys every game would come through, but we weren’t very consistent one through nine,” Price said. “Now, it seems like everyone is getting some good swings on the ball.”

Free State demolished the Red Devils — who fell, 10-1, earlier in the day to Olathe North, a team that smacked the Firebirds, 13-4, earlier this month — by scoring all its runs during the second, third and fourth innings.

In the second, Scott Heitshusen walked, then Lorenzo Ricketts was hit by Chaminade starter Tom Pipkins, the first of Ricketts’ three HBPs in four plate appearances. Then Firebird Cory Cooper, who was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs, laced a triple to right center for a 2-0 lead.

The next inning, Petz placed his shot to center, and the Firebirds shut things down with a trio of doubles in the fifth.

“I know it’s a baseball cliche and all, but hitting is definitely contagious,” Petz said. “And tonight, everyone spread it around.”