Wichita ? Power has been the forte for Free State High baseball this spring.

Power pitching and explosive offense have helped seed the Firebirds fourth in the Class 6A state tournament and pitted them against another offensive-minded team from Dodge City in the first round.

The Demons average nine runs per game and have racked up five or more runs in their 16 victories this season.

“From what we’ve gathered about them, they seem to hang their hat on to putting runs on the board,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said.

Game time is 1:30 p.m. today at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, home of the Royals’ Class AA farm team.

Dodge City has given up nine runs or more in five of its six losses.

“Over the course of the season, they have given up a few runs, but we’re probably not going to see those pitchers that gave up those runs,” Hill said. “We’re more than likely going to see their ace, who is a more-than-confident pitcher.”

Free State baseball coach Mike Hill (23) huddles the team before a recent practice. The Firebirds will face Dodge City in a first-round Class 6A state tournament game today in Wichita.

Free State will have a confident pitcher of its own – right-hander Robbie Price.

“We have the luxury of having two aces, and we can’t go wrong with either one,” Hill said. “Their entire lineup are right-handed batters. With them hitting from the right side, it makes it an easier selection to go with Robbie. Then we’ll have Travis (Blankenship) and Scott (Heitshusen) to back him up just in case he gets into any trouble. Then we’ll come back with Travis on Saturday.”

Price, Blankenship and Heitshusen lead a group of seniors that has seen its share of action at the state level. The program is making its fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament.

“Of course, you hope leadership will help,” Hill said. “But, really, it all comes down to playing and getting the job done. Whether it be those seniors or from the sophomores and juniors, we’ve just got be able to play. We have to be on top of all three phases of our game – great defense, pitching and hitting. We’re going to have to do all three of those.”

Andy Petz warms up with the Free State baseball team during a recent practice. The Firebirds will open state play today against Dodge City.

Tournament trips to the south are nothing new for the Firebirds. The Firebirds traveled to Claremore, Okla., to play in the Four State Festival.

“We prepare ourselves for this situation with our annual trip to Oklahoma and play in a competitive tournament against some good teams,” Hill said. “And that’s all by design with the hopes to make this big trip at the end of the season.”

Hill said his squad didn’t want to have the same outcome as last year’s state tournament, when the Firebirds were ousted in the first round.

“There are some very fine teams in the tournament, but I think they’re a very confident bunch of kids right now,” Hill said. “They’re really hungry and don’t want to go home early. What they want is to come home with a championship.”