Free State High’s baseball team qualified for the Class 6A state tournament in Topeka next week with a 9-4 victory over Olathe Northwest on Thursday night at the Free State field.

The Firebirds (19-2) broke the game open with a six-run third inning that featured doubles by Cody Kukuk and Nick Hassig.

Senior right-hander Kelson Boyer went the first five innings to push his record to 5-0. Caleb Gress, who had pitched a perfect five innings in the Firebirds’ 10-0 victory over Leavenworth earlier Thursday, pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to earn the save.

The Firebirds will make their first state appearance since winning the 2006 championship.