Mike Hill couldn’t believe it. Neither could anyone else.

Shawnee Mission North, the Sunflower League cellar-dweller with an 0-18 record, shocked No. 1 seed Olathe East, 3-0, in Class 6A regional baseball Tuesday night.

“That’s Kansas baseball for you,” O-East coach John McDonald told the Olathe News. “It’s one and done. You don’t get a chance to redeem yourself.”

That’s the message Free State High coach Hill is preaching to the Firebirds who, like the Hawks, are a No. 1 regional seed. They will meet No. 8 seed Leavenworth (3-14) at approximately 4:30 p.m. today at the FSHS field.

Free State run-ruled Leavenworth, 16-6, during the regular season.

“I wouldn’t say it’s pressure,” Free State second baseman Jordan Dreiling said, “but it is expected because of the season we’ve had.”

Free State won the Class 6A state title two years ago and this year’s team is just as talented, if not more so.

The Firebirds (17-2) were undefeated in the Sunflower League. Their only losses were to Blue Valley North and Kansas City, Mo., Rockhurst.

Free State’s team batting average is a robust .353. Three Firebirds are batting over .400, led by freshman designated hitter Cody Kukuk at .475. Third baseman and cleanup hitter John Wilson is at .435 with a team-high 26 RBIs and shortstop Hunter Scheib at .413.

Senior left-hander Caleb Gress (5-0, 2.72 ERA) and senior right-hander Kelson Boyer (4-0, 2.63) are the Firebirds’ top pitchers.

Gress is scheduled to pitch against Leavenworth today with Boyer the probable starter for the 7 p.m. state-qualifer against the winner of today’s 2 p.m. contest between No. 4 seed Olathe Northwest (11-9) and No. 5 Junction City (10-10).

During the regular season, Free State edged O-Northwest, 3-1, but did not play Junction City.

“We’ve got to get mentally prepared because there’s a target on our backs,” Wilson said.