Behind an explosive, four-run first inning, the Free State High baseball team held on to win, 4-3, and swept the season series with crosstown rival Lawrence High on Thursday night.

In front of 1,200 fans at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark, the Firebirds did all of their offensive damage on three straight doubles in the first inning and then watched as senior hurler Cody Lown threw six strong innings to get the win. Lown improved to 2-1 on the season. LHS’s Tom Schuh went the distance for the Lions and took the loss, evening his record at 4-4.

The victory, which came in one hour and 15 minutes, improved the Firebirds to 16-2 on the season and dropped LHS to 9-9.

For more on Thursday’s game, see Friday’s Journal-World.