Pinch the girls on Free State High’s softball team. They must be dreaming.

Free State High's Kaylee Lane, left, tags Wichita Northwest runner Lindsey Read.

The Firebirds, who never had had a winning season until this year, shocked No. 3 seed Wichita Northwest, 5-3, in the first round of the Class 6A state softball tournament Friday night at Clinton Lake Softball Complex.

“This is so exciting,” Free State senior left fielder Chloe Hall said. “It’s just amazing.”

Coach Pam Pine was a little dazed, too.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Pine said several minutes after her sixth-seeded club knocked off the Grizzlies, who had come to Lawrence with a glossy 19-3 record.

“I just want our players to enjoy the moment,” Pine continued. “We get to play two more games now. This is a great thing for Free State.”

Free State recorded the biggest softball victory in its eight-year history because it made the most of its opportunities and pitcher Ashley Wagner avoided numerous jams.

6Sports video: Firebirds softball prevails, 5-3 (05-27-05)

“We didn’t know that much about them,” said Wagner, who also contributed a pair of hits and drove in a run, “and I think we don’t get as nervous if we don’t know about the other team.”

Wagner learned one thing about the Grizzlies.

“They can hit the ball,” the senior right-hander said.

Free State High's Livi abney (7) and Chloe Hall celebrate after the Firebirds scored a run against Wichita Northwest. The Firebirds beat the Grizzlies, 5-3, Friday night at Clinton Lake Sports Complex to advance in the Class 6A state tournament.

Wichita Northwest out-hit the Firebirds, 12-10, but 11 of the safeties were singles, and Wagner stranded 10 runners in the last six innings.

Free State enjoyed a 5-1 lead going into the last of the seventh, but the Grizzlies touched Wagner for three straight hits and scored two runs. Northwest had the tying runs on first and third when Wagner enticed Ali Rodee to ground out to first baseman Brooke Abney for the final out.

“I knew I just had to keep the ball down,” Wagner said.

Free State snapped a scoreless tie in the fourth when Jamie Stanclift doubled and scored on Wagner’s single. Allie Hock followed with a single, and Wagner scored moments later when Northwest shortstop Jessica Bullins booted Kayley Lane’s grounder.

The Firebirds added another run in the fifth when Stanclift singled in Hall, who had tripled to left-center. Two more runs crossed in the sixth on a double by Lane, singles by Brooke Abney and Hall, and Hannah Somers’ sacrifice fly.

Now Free State (14-9) will meet second-seeded Shawnee Mission Northwest in one of today’s 10 a.m. semifinals. SM Northwest disposed of Goddard, 7-1, Friday evening.

Earlier this season, the Cougars (21-2) also disposed of Free State in a doubleheader, winning both games handily.

Jamie Stanclift, left, and Livi Abney celebrate an infield play. The Firebirds beat the Grizzlies, 5-3, Friday at the Class 6A state tournament at Clinton Lake Softball Complex.

“I’m glad we’re going to see them again,” Hall said. “We didn’t bring our best game last time, but I think we’ll bring our best game this time.”

It’s debatable whether Pine will be able to bring Wagner back on just 13 hours of rest, although the Free State coach was optimistic.

“I think she’s able to do that,” Pine said. “We’ll have to see tomorrow if she’s stiff and sore.”

Today’s other semifinal will pit defending champion Olathe East (23-0) against Emporia (14-7).

Olathe East used home runs by Kristen Rock and Teddi Ewing to pummel SM North, 6-1; and upstart Emporia, the No. 5 seed, blanked No. 4 seed Maize, 3-0, behind the one-hit pitching of Jenny Potter.

Today’s winners will clash at 1 p.m. for the state championship. The losers will meet at noon for third place.