Overland Park ? Travis Blankenship and Scott Heitshusen combined on a three-hit shutout, and Free State High opened its baseball season Friday with a 2-0 victory over Blue Valley Northwest.

Blankenship allowed two hits while striking out four in four innings, and Heitshusen permitted one hit in three innings.

“Both were very effective,” Free State coach Mike Hill said. “It wasn’t necessarily a hitter’s day. But I was pleased with both Travis and Scott. They did a nice job for the first time out.”

Free State took advantage of two BV Northwest errors to score twice in the sixth inning. Heitshusen walked with the bases loaded to score one run, and Andy Petz singled to give the Firebirds a 2-0 lead.

“It’s always good to get the first one under our belts,” Hill said. “Travis Ice made a couple of nice plays for us (at second base).”

The Firebirds will play Kansas City Washington today at Community America Ballpark.